The Forest Service is putting a fireban in place due to the dry conditions.

A campfire ban has been in effect in the BWCAW as of June 30, 2020 until further notice.

We have received an update that this has been lifted. We will confirm as we see an official update.

Thanks Adam,
Literally leaving here shortly for a trip, did you get this from an inside source, as I know the Superior NF website doesn’t list it...yet.

Thanks

It is on recreation.gov notifications also there is a signed memo out there.

Maybe dumb question, but how much rain you think is needed to lift it? Can it be lifted after one big rain storm?

Moose 664788. It depends on what you call a big rain storm. Due to the level of dryness up in the area, it would likely take a rain of 3/4 of an inch or more. And that rain would also need to be one of those slow all day rains. The faster the rains comes, the less good it does on the landscape.
And just a little FYI, fires are being reported around people outside of the boundary waters recently. I am a forester and firefighter with the DNR. And we have had a couple fires this past weekend

Are twig stoves acceptable? It seems like they are specifying heavily gas but twig stoves are safer than open campfires.

From Reservation.gov permit page:

Facility Message:
A campfire ban is in effect in the BWCAW as of June 30, 2020 until further notice.

Only gas stoves and grills are permitted for cooking.

Donut1234: "Are twig stoves acceptable? It seems like they are specifying heavily gas but twig stoves are safer than open campfires.


From Reservation.gov permit page:


Facility Message:
A campfire ban is in effect in the BWCAW as of June 30, 2020 until further notice.


Only gas stoves and grills are permitted for cooking."

To my knowledge, twig stoves are never treated any differently than open fires, and as the owner of one, I wouldn't say they're any safer. They can still throw embers, and they cannot be as quickly and easily killed as the flame of a stove. In any case, their statement isn't ambiguous. "Only gas stoves and grills." Twig stoves are not gas stoves.

Somewhat curious, how the decisions are made according to the DNR it’s Moderate to High in that area. Does the forest service differ from the DNR in their decision making, wouldn’t think a Moderate to High would trip a fire ban. But assuming there are so many factors that attribute to a fire ban.

Awesome info

Thanks !!

Was thinking of going up next week. Guess I'll go check my white gas supply and maybe adjust my menu a bit. I can still fry a fish, make pancakes and pizza on my little MRS stove. With it being so dry up there, I have to think the upcoming 4th of July may have been part of the decision. Fireworks are of course illegal up there any time, but would be especially dangerous now.

Donut1234: "Are twig stoves acceptable? It seems like they are specifying heavily gas but twig stoves are safer than open campfires.


From Reservation.gov permit page:


Facility Message:
A campfire ban is in effect in the BWCAW as of June 30, 2020 until further notice.


Only gas stoves and grills are permitted for cooking."

The announcement specifically says no wood stoves.

We have friends that have been in the BW for several days now, before the ban went in effect. At this point if they have a campfire and ranger comes along, can they show their permit entry date and claim ignorance? Has this happened to anyone?

Donut1234: "Are twig stoves acceptable? It seems like they are specifying heavily gas but twig stoves are safer than open campfires.


From Reservation.gov permit page:


Facility Message:
A campfire ban is in effect in the BWCAW as of June 30, 2020 until further notice.


Only gas stoves and grills are permitted for cooking."

Usually the only permitted stoves are ones with a shutoff valve. That eliminates twig stoves, alcohol stoves, and solid fuel stoves.

4keys: "We have friends that have been in the BW for several days now, before the ban went in effect. At this point if they have a campfire and ranger comes along, can they show their permit entry date and claim ignorance? Has this happened to anyone? "

If a ranger comes by, he'll mark their permit that they've been informed. They obviously can't plead ignorance after that. I would hope that whether they find out from a ranger or just someone else with knowledge of it, that they'd abide by it.

Donut1234: "From Reservation.gov permit page:
Facility Message:
A campfire ban is in effect in the BWCAW as of June 30, 2020 until further notice.
Only gas stoves and grills are permitted for cooking."

Ummm, that seems pretty clear to me. What part is not understandable?

jamdemos: "Somewhat curious, how the decisions are made according to the DNR it’s Moderate to High in that area. Does the forest service differ from the DNR in their decision making, wouldn’t think a Moderate to High would trip a fire ban. But assuming there are so many factors that attribute to a fire ban."

It is of course a different agency. I was expecting a fire ban, just not so soon. I would guess the upcoming hot forecast is a big part of it. The fire danger can go from high to very high in just a matter of days when it gets hot. I also wonder with the level of use the BWCA is getting right now due to the Covid is also a factor. Seems like there's a lot of inexperienced people out there and a lot of opportunities for things to go wrong...fires unattended, outside of grates, people bushwhacking campsites because they can't find an open one, etc.

Would a weather radio mention anything about the ban being lifted? I am going in next week and am just curious about it. Thanks

Going in Sunday. If by some miracle it was lifted during the week how would we find out? This really sucks.

HappyPaddle22: "Would a weather radio mention anything about the ban being lifted? I am going in next week and am just curious about it. Thanks"

I think that is unlikely, since the weather radio network is dedicated to broadcasting weather forecasts and not land management policy. If you have a weather radio that can receive FM you might possibly get such info from stations in Ely or Grand Marais - maybe check with those stations and ask if they would broadcast such info.

tigag: "Going in Sunday. If by some miracle it was lifted during the week how would we find out? This really sucks.
"

If it rains a bunch, like multiple inches, you could ask people you see if they know. Or you could bring a sat phone or an Inreach and have someone contact you.

Jaywalker: "

HappyPaddle22: "Would a weather radio mention anything about the ban being lifted? I am going in next week and am just curious about it. Thanks"

I think that is unlikely, since the weather radio network is dedicated to broadcasting weather forecasts and not land management policy. If you have a weather radio that can receive FM you might possibly get such info from stations in Ely or Grand Marais - maybe check with those stations and ask if they would broadcast such info."

That makes sense, thanks! Any recommendations on one that is small and lightweight with those capabilities?

HappyPaddle22: "Would a weather radio mention anything about the ban being lifted? I am going in next week and am just curious about it. Thanks"

I’ve never heard the weather radio station mention about fire bans. If you had a Garmin InReach unit someone at home could contact you about lifting the ban. Otherwise stick to your gas stoves for your trip.

HappyPaddle22: "

Jaywalker: "

HappyPaddle22: "Would a weather radio mention anything about the ban being lifted? I am going in next week and am just curious about it. Thanks"

I think that is unlikely, since the weather radio network is dedicated to broadcasting weather forecasts and not land management policy. If you have a weather radio that can receive FM you might possibly get such info from stations in Ely or Grand Marais - maybe check with those stations and ask if they would broadcast such info."

That makes sense, thanks! Any recommendations on one that is small and lightweight with those capabilities?"

CC Crane pocket radio. AM. FM. And weather radio. I got mine a couple years ago for warning about incoming storms, but it also gets am and fm. I would not be surprised if WTIP in GM broadcast ban updates, but I’d suggest you call around and check.

camp fires allowed at some campgrounds

I wouldn’t think this ban will be lifted anytime soon. With the heat and no or limited rain there should be no reason to believe this ban will be lifted in the next week. Put yourself in a firefighters shoes (or boots I guess) , 90 degrees and high humidity... fighting fires... very difficult and hard on your body.

Well, my iphone weather app shows rain forecast for Ely from Saturday all the way until Thursday. That's a solid 6 days with rain in the forecast. Even for meteorologists, that forecast should mean rain at least once or twice in the near future.

tigag: "Going in Sunday. If by some miracle it was lifted during the week how would we find out? This really sucks.
"

Ordinarily your permit will be noted with the fire ban restriction and my understanding is it will remain unless a ranger comes and marks it as being lifted.

CityFisher74: "Well, my iphone weather app shows rain forecast for Ely from Saturday all the way until Thursday. That's a solid 6 days with rain in the forecast. Even for meteorologists, that forecast should mean rain at least once or twice in the near future."

I see that, we can just hope, but also there talking temps 10 degrees above normal. I got a feeling the rain will just keep us from getting worse for the moment. They need a big rain or two at least.

CityFisher74: "Well, my iphone weather app shows rain forecast for Ely from Saturday all the way until Thursday. That's a solid 6 days with rain in the forecast. Even for meteorologists, that forecast should mean rain at least once or twice in the near future."

What they are talking about is a chance of afternoon thunderstorms every day. Meaning the rain will be spotty, and they might even spark some lightening fires. So don't get your hopes up about the fire ban being lifted with that forecast.

I guess with the weight savings of not brings a saw or a reflector oven I can bring my Coleman 2 burner suitcase.

Do they ever ban gas stoves?

Inmyelement: "Do they ever ban gas stoves?"

Yes, they were banned this last March or April and into May sometime.

Already this year, escaped campfires and fireworks have caused more than 40 wildfires in Minnesota.
“Expanding drought conditions have dried grasses, shrubs, and trees in the area, resulting in increased fire danger,” said Aaron Mielke, Forestry Division assistant area supervisor in Grand Marais. “Please, be extra cautious with personal fireworks and campfires as you celebrate this holiday.”
Mielke notes the current drought conditions are similar to conditions of the high fire years of 2006 and 2011, the latter of which was the year of the 93,000-acre Pagami Creek wildfire.

We have received word that this has been lifted.

We are looking for an official statement.

Official word, the fire ban has been lifted as of late yesterday. Please be extra careful out there as some areas in the BWCA are still very dry. Don't have one if you don't need one. Keep them contained. And make sure they are extinguished with water and that they are cool to the touch when unattended.

The consequences of starting a forest fire can be huge.

There has been a lot of rain up there in the last week. I was hoping it was enough to lift it. Hopefully it doesn't dry up again.