BWCA Quetico Closes Boundary Waters Quetico Forum
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08/16/2021 04:31PM  
Effective tomorrow Quetico is totally closed for back country camping because of forest fires. At this point the closure is indefinite. So my trip is cancelled. Sigh grumble grumble.
 
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08/16/2021 05:16PM  
Source? Not seeing anything on the official park site or their FB page.

Assuming you are right: Ugh. First WCPP and now the Q. Alters my plans too.

I wonder how they will deal with the folks already in the park?
08/16/2021 06:19PM  
From the QPP website.

Park Advisories
Backcountry Closure Alert: Due to increased forest fire activity in Quetico’s backcountry and smoke impacts, the backcountry of Quetico Provincial Park is closed to all travel and camping effective August 17, 2021. Please contact our park information line at (807) 597-2735 for up to date information on backcountry conditions.
08/16/2021 07:19PM  
I was told they will start to evacuate them tomorrow.
Minnesotian
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08/17/2021 08:06AM  

Damn it.
08/17/2021 08:13AM  
I had a permit for Friday. Just canceled my COVID test.

Sigh
flaxman
senior member (94)senior membersenior member
  
08/17/2021 08:23AM  
My permit is/was for 8/29. I wonder if this closure will extend thru the rest of the season.
08/17/2021 08:59AM  
Wow, that was a short window to get up there!
08/17/2021 09:02AM  
I am well past the point where I see the logic in letting these fires run their course.
08/17/2021 09:02AM  
Our permit date is August 28. Calling today to see if ANY chance of reopening by then, but we're not overly optimistic.

TZ

...and just spoke with the park; hot & dry the next few days with winds from the south, threatening the portions of the park that were open, including the Beaverhouse EP. Didn't cancel the permit yet (need spousal approval!) but things don't look promising for a 2021 Quetico visit.
flaxman
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08/17/2021 09:14AM  
TrailZen: "Our permit date is August 28. Calling today to see if ANY chance of reopening by then, but we're not overly optimistic.


TZ "


I'll be eager to hear what they tell you.

08/17/2021 09:43AM  
I talked to a ranger today and she said it was likely the park would be closed at least until self-issue permitting begins in mid-September if not beyond.
tumblehome
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08/17/2021 09:57AM  
Argo: "I am well past the point where I see the logic in letting these fires run their course. "


Decades of fire suppression have created fuel heavy forests. While it is painful to watch, it's what nature has done since the beginning.
Our forests are all out of balance because of us. fire resets everything.
Tom
tumblehome
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08/17/2021 11:18AM  
@Argo,

I don’t want to discredit your frustration with the fires. I do feel the same way and I am watching my favorite places burn up. I wish they would go against good forest practices and put some water on the fires.

Tom
gymcoachdon
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08/17/2021 11:55AM  
I just got off the phone with the Quetico office, they told me they anticipate it being closed for the rest of the season, but it is possible that they re-open. She also said that the reservations would not be automatically cancelled and refunded. You need to cancel them yourself.

2nd year of getting my fishing license and outdoors card early, and it going unused if conditions hold.
whyzata
senior member (51)senior membersenior member
  
08/17/2021 12:13PM  
Oh crap....So this year is a screwed up too, just like last year...My plans also altered..
08/17/2021 01:12PM  
Just cancelled our Quetico reservations and made Algonquin reservations. Won't feel the same, but at least we're getting to paddle!

TZ
goatroti
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08/17/2021 03:25PM  
Argo: "I am well past the point where I see the logic in letting these fires run their course. "


Perhaps a perusal of the Park Management Plan, especially Section 7.0 Resource Stewardship Policies will clear your logic issues.

Quetico Park Management Plan
08/17/2021 07:32PM  
I just got my refund without applying.

I have decided to go to Missinipe Saskatchewan and do a circle of lakes that are part of the Churchill River system- part of a fur trading route. I will report when I get back. It will definitely be different but it still a wilderness canoe trip.
08/18/2021 07:40AM  
jdddl8: "I just got my refund without applying.


I have decided to go to Missinipe Saskatchewan and do a circle of lakes that are part of the Churchill River system- part of a fur trading route. I will report when I get back. It will definitely be different but it still a wilderness canoe trip. "


Have a great trip, John! Looking forward to your trip report/comments, especially if you'd recommend the route for seasoned paddlers.

TZ
Minnesotian
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08/18/2021 08:21AM  
TrailZen: "
jdddl8: "I just got my refund without applying.



I have decided to go to Missinipe Saskatchewan and do a circle of lakes that are part of the Churchill River system- part of a fur trading route. I will report when I get back. It will definitely be different but it still a wilderness canoe trip. "



Have a great trip, John! Looking forward to your trip report/comments, especially if you'd recommend the route for seasoned paddlers.


TZ"


Agreed. I am always looking for places to add to my list.
PeaceFrog
distinguished member (339)distinguished memberdistinguished memberdistinguished member
  
08/18/2021 09:57AM  
tumblehome: "
Argo: "I am well past the point where I see the logic in letting these fires run their course. "



Decades of fire suppression have created fuel heavy forests. While it is painful to watch, it's what nature has done since the beginning.
Our forests are all out of balance because of us. fire resets everything.
Tom"


Agreed
flaxman
senior member (94)senior membersenior member
  
08/18/2021 10:59AM  
Just spoke with Q HQ, returning their call offerring cancellation of my 8/29 permit. Turns out closure is only through 8/27, with extension dependent on rain and fires. Still hope!
08/18/2021 11:18AM  
tumblehome: "
Argo: "I am well past the point where I see the logic in letting these fires run their course. "



Decades of fire suppression have created fuel heavy forests. While it is painful to watch, it's what nature has done since the beginning.
Our forests are all out of balance because of us. fire resets everything.
Tom"


Quetico has had much more liberal "let it burn" attitude toward fire for the last thirty years if not longer. The area of the park that is currently burning is fairly healthy and has been subject to burning. The relative health and diversity of the forest offers hope that the results of the current fires will be less catastrophic.
Minnesotian
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08/18/2021 12:09PM  
Banksiana: "
tumblehome: "
Argo: "I am well past the point where I see the logic in letting these fires run their course. "




Decades of fire suppression have created fuel heavy forests. While it is painful to watch, it's what nature has done since the beginning.
Our forests are all out of balance because of us. fire resets everything.
Tom"



Quetico has had much more liberal "let it burn" attitude toward fire for the last thirty years if not longer. The area of the park that is currently burning is fairly healthy and has been subject to burning. The relative health and diversity of the forest offers hope that the results of the current fires will be less catastrophic."


I hope so, Banksiana. I always wanted to see Ted Lake and the pickle jar there but I now fear it has been radically changed. And I also fear one of my favorite spots, Macintyre Creek to Robinson Lake is completely different. Change is a part of life I understand that, but the next time I float down that creek may be a bittersweet experience.
08/18/2021 12:41PM  
Some thick forest- heavy fuels on the Robinson end of McIntyre creek. That is a glorious bit of obstacle course without a doubt. I've walked and paddled that creek more times than would be considered reasonable- a great route into (or out of) my favorite chunk of the park.
mapsguy1955
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08/18/2021 01:22PM  
I seriously wonder whether the “let it burn” philosophy is valid anymore. The climate is changing. It’s warmer and dryer and the fires are much hotter. I’m sorry if I’m out of line here, but we can’t go backwards. Perhaps we need to do controlled burns when it is moister and more humid, and just put out all of these uncontrolled burns when they happen. If you look at what is happening across the northern hemisphere, we are losing huge chunks of wild lands. We can’t change the mistakes that have already been made.
08/18/2021 02:38PM  
Keep in mind that "let it burn" is a decision, and is both a matter of philosophy and practicality. There are only so many 20 person fire crews, water-dropping aircraft, and bulldozers out there. Given the fires across the US and Canada right now, I sort of doubt many of the fire fighting assets are sitting around wondering what to do right now. I suspect there is a lot of "should we fight this one or that one" right now on both sides of the boarder.
08/18/2021 03:52PM  
I am not against the concept of "letting it burn" as I understand the benefits of forest fires. But the analysis needs to consider both benefits and costs. I don't need to be pointed to a park plan nor any plan to know that when circumstances are extraordinary, plans can and should be amended.

I get it, the goal is to return Quetico to a natural pristine state without intervention or some such. That is an ideal that I believe is misguided under these conditions. This is not some wildly remote, air-only access region like Polar Bear Provincial Park on James Bay that gets a couple of dozen visitors a year. It is a park on a major thoroughfare and a popular tourist destination with attendant commercial interests. In addition the park has its own need to provide revenue for its sustainability.

What's more, if a fire breaks out around Dawson campground or near any exit corridor inside the park - as happened last month near Doré Lake, the fire trucks, crews and or water-bombers are on the scene forthwith.

Yes, Quetico managers understand there are limits to fire for not only safety but also commercial interest. And I believe it's time to employ more of that consideration as campers are evacuated and attendant private commercial interests are injured.
joewildlife
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08/18/2021 11:46PM  
Well, all I can say is #@*&@#&%^@.

Maybe, just maybe it will be reopened but one poster says there is a closure date and one poster says it might be the rest of the season.

I've had to endure 3 BWCA trips because of this dang virus and was hoping to hit Quetico after Labor day. I do have a backup BWCA permit, but didn't want to use it.

WCPP and to a lesser extent on the continuum, Quetico, is on the prairie/woodland interface. With the trend in weather and climate, burns are more frequent and intense, and the prairie front is moving south and east. That is ecological truth. The fish don't care. The landscape is still vibrant and beautiful. No, you might not have shade, hammock trees, or be able to hang a pack, but these places will still be awesome even if they trend to prairie and jack pine because of the increasing intensity and frequency of forest fires. That doesn't make me feel better if I can't GO!!!

Joe
08/19/2021 11:59AM  
One thing to remember is that our (as in modern humans) ability to control wild land fires is limited and often simply not possible. My younger brother is a lead ecologist for the Interagency Fire Center and in his opinion many, if not most, large fires are controlled or defeated not by the intervention of humans but by changes in weather or terrain or environment. Much of the expenditure and effort has little to no result. It is hubris to think that a fire's existence is dependent upon our willingness to "let it burn".
northerntrader
member (9)member
  
08/19/2021 02:11PM  
jdddl8: "
I have decided to go to Missinipe Saskatchewan and do a circle of lakes that are part of the Churchill River system- part of a fur trading route. I will report when I get back. It will definitely be different but it still a wilderness canoe trip. "


Two big thumbs up on on your Missinipe choice. We did an 84 mile clockwise circuit beginning McClennan Lake and ending at Stanley Mission in 2019. Had to be one of my most favorite trips of nearly 30 years canoe tripping. I was retracing the life of my grandfather who ran a trading post in the mid 1920's at Stanley Mission. Fantastic history and overall great trip. We outfitted with Ric Driediger at Churchill River Canoe Outfitters. PM me if you want any tips.
08/19/2021 02:13PM  
jdddl8: "I just got my refund without applying.


I have decided to go to Missinipe Saskatchewan and do a circle of lakes that are part of the Churchill River system- part of a fur trading route. I will report when I get back. It will definitely be different but it still a wilderness canoe trip. "


I’ve always wanted to do that route!
Have a great trip!
gymcoachdon
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08/23/2021 01:47PM  
I spoke with the Quetico office today, and they are cancelling all permits through, I believe she said, the 9th of September. I cancelled my 29th entry and got an email within minutes confirming the cancellation and a full refund.
08/24/2021 10:36PM  
Banksiana: "One thing to remember is that our (as in modern humans) ability to control wild land fires is limited and often simply not possible. My younger brother is a lead ecologist for the Interagency Fire Center and in his opinion many, if not most, large fires are controlled or defeated not by the intervention of humans but by changes in weather or terrain or environment. Much of the expenditure and effort has little to no result. It is hubris to think that a fire's existence is dependent upon our willingness to "let it burn"."


I agree. Sometimes fires will continue to burn and spread regardless of what firefighters do. They seem to have a life of their own. There are only so many firefighters to spread around, and they are working impossible hours, going weeks without a day off, sleeping wherever they are, and it is hard, hot, physical work. And only a heavy snowfall will put some fires out.
Waterboy
member (28)member
  
09/08/2021 04:58PM  
They just announced that Quetico will be re-opening Sept 11, however, a significant closure area will remain.

Quetico Parks Alert

Here's the notice in part:
Backcountry Camping Notice: Quetico’s backcountry is re-opening to camping and travel on Saturday, September 11, 2021.

A closure area will remain in place to provide a buffer around areas impacted by forest fire. No camping or travel is permitted in the closure area. Depending on wind and weather conditions, backcountry campers may still experience smoke impacts while in the backcountry.

Starting Sept 11, 2021 backcountry campers can access Quetico from any northern entry point. Self serve permitting is available once each entry station closes for the season. Self serve permitting kiosks are located at Dawson Trail, Nym Lake, Atikokan Park Headquarters and Beaverhouse Entry Station. Please call our park information line at (807) 597-2735 for more information about self serve permitting.
09/09/2021 07:07AM  
Did I read that right? No fire ban?
09/09/2021 05:18PM  
No fire bam surprised me as well.

I wish they would include a map of the closure area. Be nice to have a sense of the area that was affected although I’m sure they will buffer out pretty far from the edges of it this fall.

Ryan
09/10/2021 10:29AM  
mapsguy1955
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09/10/2021 11:48AM  
That is most of the park. Wow.
09/10/2021 01:08PM  
Yikes... planning a trip for entry next week but this certainly puts a wrench in the route I was contemplating.
09/10/2021 08:15PM  
Wow! If you want to get into the southeastern portion you have to route through the big portages for Cache lake. A lot of the park is closed.

Ryan
 
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