Looks like, according to Steve Piragis, the BW will be open!

egknuti: "Looks like, according to Steve Piragis, the BW will be open! "

Forest Service just posted a video announcement on their FB page. I can’t get it to copy a link here from my phone.

It’s a partial re-opening. More to the west than east, where more rain fell last weekend. Specific entry points weren’t listed, , hopefully they’ll do that soon. She did say not near John Ek or Whelp fires so top or all of Gunflint Trail will stay closed. Presume Sawbill area too and Louse river since that closed down first but???

EP 36 and 37 remain closed but there is no mention of 38 Sawbill.

You need to remember that permits for 9/4 and beyond have NOT been cancelled anywhere...so if those permits were all taken already, they aren't going to be available 9/2 for reservation.

I'm attempting Wabakimi on 9/11 because I suspect my original plan of EP36 Kawishiwi will still be closed...I still would like a backup in BWCA but I bet those permits are going to be real hard to come by!

“Full BWCAW Closure is being lifted: Portions of the BWCAW will reopen, effective September 4, including the Crooked Lake area near Canada.
If you had a previously reserved permit for after September 4, your permit is still valid.
Available quota permits will be live for reservation on Thursday, September 2 at 12:00 PM on Recreation.gov.”
Forest Service News Release
Media contact: Joanna Gilkeson
(218) 349-5137
Joanna.Gilkeson@usda.gov
www.fs.usda.gov/superior
Superior National Forest reopens portions of the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness and National Forest lands
Closures remain in place for the Greenwood, John Ek and Whelp fires
Duluth, Minn., September 1, 2021 — The Superior National Forest is reopening some areas of the Forest, including the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness, given recent rains, cooling temperatures and progress made on active fire. However, certain closures will remain in place where active fires remain on the landscape.
The Forest is lifting the full closure of the BWCAW, the Crooked Lake closure near the fires in Canada. The Forest is slightly modifying closure maps for the Greenwood Fire, and the John Ek and Whelp Fires. The closure of Forest Service land at the Upper Gunflint Trail remains in place.
“We’re thrilled to reopen some of our public lands to visitors. The drought is not over but we’re starting to see more rain and lower temperatures. These conditions moderate fire activity and lessen the chance of new fires showing up,” said Connie Cummins, supervisor for the Superior National Forest.
“After talking with our fire experts about the latest data and weather conditions, we believe we have the capacity to manage the potential risk to the public of wildfire in some portions of the Forest,” Cummins added.
What this announcement means for visitors:
Full BWCAW Closure is being lifted: Portions of the BWCAW will reopen, effective September 4, including the Crooked Lake area near Canada.
If you had a previously reserved permit for after September 4, your permit is still valid.
Available quota permits will be live for reservation on Thursday, September 2 at 12:00 PM on Recreation.gov.
BWCAW Closure due to John Ek & Whelp fires: A new closure area has been drawn for the John Ek and Whelp Fires: Seagull Lake EP #54/#54A/L, Saganaga Lake EP #55/#55A/J, Missing Link Lake EP #51, Brant Lake EP #52, Cross Bay Lake EP #50, Kekakbic Trail EP #56, Skipper and Portage Lakes EP #49, Kawishiwi Lake EP #37, Hog Creek EP #36.

joewildlife: "EP 36 and 37 remain closed but there is no mention of 38 Sawbill.


You need to remember that permits for 9/4 and beyond have NOT been cancelled anywhere...so if those permits were all taken already, they aren't going to be available 9/2 for reservation.


I'm attempting Wabakimi on 9/11 because I suspect my original plan of EP36 Kawishiwi will still be closed...I still would like a backup in BWCA but I bet those permits are going to be real hard to come by!
"

True, but I saw lots of permits that customers cancelled rather than wait. Many didn't care about not getting the "last" $6.00 back. I feel sorry for those people if they would have known it might open and thus wouldn't have done a cancellation.

VoyageurNorth: "

joewildlife: "EP 36 and 37 remain closed but there is no mention of 38 Sawbill.



You need to remember that permits for 9/4 and beyond have NOT been cancelled anywhere...so if those permits were all taken already, they aren't going to be available 9/2 for reservation.



I'm attempting Wabakimi on 9/11 because I suspect my original plan of EP36 Kawishiwi will still be closed...I still would like a backup in BWCA but I bet those permits are going to be real hard to come by!
"

True, but I saw lots of permits that customers cancelled rather than wait. Many didn't care about not getting the "last" $6.00 back. I feel sorry for those people if they would have known it might open and thus wouldn't have done a cancellation."

We're almost in that scenario. We're heading north tomorrow. Hoping to score a permit mid-transit.