From the Forest Service:

"Due to continued dry conditions and worsening wildfire danger conditions, the Superior National Forest has issued an Emergency Forest Order - effective June 14 - restricting the igniting, building, maintaining, attending, or using a fire or campfire, including charcoal grills and barbeques, coal, and woodburning stoves to reduce the likelihood of a wildfire on the Superior National Forest, including the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness."

FS Order PDF

General DNR rule:
Northeast Minnesota burning restrictions begin Wednesday, June 14
To help ensure public safety and protect natural resources, the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources is activating burning restrictions beginning 12:01 a.m. Wednesday for Carlton, Cook, Lake and St. Louis counties.

In the area affected by the restrictions, burning permits will not be issued for brush or yard waste; no fireworks may be ignited on any public or private land outside city limits (check with the local community for any additional restrictions); and campfires are allowed only in an established fire ring associated with a home, campground, or resort. No campfires are allowed for dispersed, remote, backpacking, or backcountry camping.

The burning restrictions (Commissioner's Order - Fire Restrictions) will remain in effect until terminated by the DNR Commissioner when weather and environmental conditions indicate a reduction in fire danger.

Minnesota DNR News

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

June 13, 2023

For more information:
Contact the DNR Information Center
by email or call 888-646-6367.

In This Issue
Northeast Minnesota burning restrictions begin Wednesday, June 14
DNR announces lands for sale
Northeast Minnesota burning restrictions begin Wednesday, June 14
To help ensure public safety and protect natural resources, the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources is activating burning restrictions beginning 12:01 a.m. Wednesday for Carlton, Cook, Lake and St. Louis counties.

In the area affected by the restrictions, burning permits will not be issued for brush or yard waste; no fireworks may be ignited on any public or private land outside city limits (check with the local community for any additional restrictions); and campfires are allowed only in an established fire ring associated with a home, campground, or resort. No campfires are allowed for dispersed, remote, backpacking, or backcountry camping.

The burning restrictions (files.dnr.state.mn.us/forestry/wildfire/commissioner-order-nne-burning-restrictions.pdf) will remain in effect until terminated by the DNR Commissioner when weather and environmental conditions indicate a reduction in fire danger.

Allissa Reynolds, wildfire prevention supervisor, said while residents and visitors in Carlton, Cook, Lake, and St. Louis counties may still see plenty of green vegetation, the current fire situation remains dangerous. “Unusually dry conditions have increased the risk of fire. One unintentional spark in these conditions could result in thousands of charred acres and property damage,” Reynolds said, “This is a dangerous time for wildfires in northeast Minnesota.”

With little precipitation and more warm weather in the extended forecast statewide, fire danger is likely to remain high into through the end of June. While the DNR and wildfire agencies are ready to respond, Reynolds said the responsibility for preventing fires in the first place largely falls to the public. “We don’t issue burning restrictions lightly. It’s a matter of public safety and resources. Minnesotans have a history of making a difference on wildfire prevention when they keep safety top of mind,” she said.

Fire prevention is a shared responsibility. Checking current fire danger conditions at the DNR statewide fire danger and burning restrictions map (mndnr.gov/forestry/fire/firerating_restrictions.html) and following the fire prevention tips above will help prevent wildfires during high fire danger. People who do spot a wildfire should call 911.

For more information, visit the DNR wildland fire information webpage (mndnr.gov/forestry/fire).

###

Overdue, IMHO. This could have gone sideways any time in the last week.

It's been hot and dry for sure, but it's also been so windy! Things have dried out as soon as we've had any rain it seems. There hasn't been much for big thunder and lightning as of late around Ely which has probably kept us from really kicking off a fire season, though irresponsible campers are almost as proficient at fire starting.

It sure wasn't looking like a fire year the way winter was going, but here we are.

gravelroad: "Overdue, IMHO. This could have gone sideways any time in the last week."

Our first night in there was a thunderstorm with a lightning strike about a mile away at about 1AM. I fully expected to see smoke in the morning but I didn't. There was a fair amount of rain that night.

Yeah, the DNR has had a fire ban including campfires throughout the Arrowhead for a few days already. It extends all the way to the west side of St. Louis county. It’s very dry, be careful out there... we need rain! You’d think the forest service and DNR would be on the same page. So backcountry or not... no campfires...

Pinetree: "From the Forest Service:

"Due to continued dry conditions and worsening wildfire danger conditions, the Superior National Forest has issued an Emergency Forest Order - effective June 14

FS Order PDF "

I find this attachment confusing. The lists included are not all inclusive, then it goes on to state campfires are only allowed in a USFs fire grate.

Interesting that they implemented a complete restriction rather than allowing fires 7pm to midnight.

Sure hope campers and all types of visitors pay attention to how dry it is.

I almost chased down a fancy car ahead of me that flicked their cig butt out the window.

Leave it up to our government to totally confuse everyone on a simple fire ban. For the love of Mike, just say no campfires in the BWCA. Just today the other thread has half the people saying you can have a fire and other side saying no fires. It should not be this hard to convey a fire ban to the general public. And yes I understand perfectly well what it says. But there are many many people who do not.

About time. It was really dry last week. Fortunately there's no need to have a fire at this time of the year. We opted out of starting campfires last week just because it was so dry. Quite honestly the only time we really use campfires is in early May or late October trips. Occasionally we will use one for cooking fish, but a little extra iso butane is all you need when there's a fireban.

Second trip is coming up in a week, actually will have much less anxiety knowing yahoos will not be able to burn the place down.

Talking almost zero rain in the BWCA for the next 14 days and above normal temps.

Savage Voyageur: "Leave it up to our government to totally confuse everyone on a simple fire ban. For the love of Mike, just say no campfires in the BWCA. Just today the other thread has half the people saying you can have a fire and other side saying no fires. It should not be this hard to convey a fire ban to the general public. And yes I understand perfectly well what it says. But there are many many people who do not. "

I did not read the DNR order, but I thought the FS order was crystal clear. They even made changes to specify what types of stoves were and were not allowed.

From the FS Order, item 4: "The Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness (BWCAW)designated campsites, no-fee rustic campgrounds, or dispersed/backcountry campsites are
NOT exempt from this order."

Jaywalker: "

Savage Voyageur: "Leave it up to our government to totally confuse everyone on a simple fire ban. For the love of Mike, just say no campfires in the BWCA. Just today the other thread has half the people saying you can have a fire and other side saying no fires. It should not be this hard to convey a fire ban to the general public. And yes I understand perfectly well what it says. But there are many many people who do not. "

I did not read the DNR order, but I thought the FS order was crystal clear. They even made changes to specify what types of stoves were and were not allowed.


From the FS Order, item 4: "The Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness (BWCAW)designated campsites, no-fee rustic campgrounds, or dispersed/backcountry campsites are
NOT exempt from this order.""

Agreed. Its not all that complicated. If you are really confused if you are able to have a fire in the area you are going, contact the forest service.

Agreed. Its not all that complicated. If you are really confused if you are able to have a fire in the area you are going, contact the forest service. "

Or better yet, just don't have a fire. It's too dangerous everywhere there regardless of the existence (or not) of a fire ban.

I'll never forget that when the Ham Lake fire started, there was no fire ban but I was up there then and the entire forest was clearly fragile and waiting for a combustion event.

news notice

Love that campfire picture tho.

Tom Hall, supervisor of the Superior National Forest, said the national system of moving wildland firefighters where they are needed has left Minnesota crews at home and is sending extra resources to northern Wisconsin and Michigan, where conditions are dry.


FROM APRIL: Widespread flooding expected as rapid snowmelt surges into Minnesota rivers
It comes after a winter that brought significant amounts of snow across Minnesota, reaching the top 10 snowiest winters for many parts of the state.

“We are about the highest fire danger level of anywhere in the lower 48, so they have sent in extra engines, crews, extra aircraft are on hand,’’ Hall said.

Superior National Forest Lifts Fire Restrictions Starting Monday, July 3rd.

"Recent precipitation helps reduce drought levels in northern Minnesota.

Duluth, Minn., June 30, 2023—Beginning Monday morning, July 3, 2023, at 12:01 a.m., the Superior National Forest will rescind Emergency Forest Order #09-09-23-02, including Exhibit A and B. Order 09-0-23-02 restricted the igniting, building, maintaining, attending, or using a fire or campfire, including charcoal grills and barbeques, coal, and woodburning stoves put in place to reduce the likelihood of a wildfire on the Superior National Forest, including the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness."

“We have received between 2-3 inches of widespread rain within the last seven days around the area. In working with interagency fire managers, we have determined that fire conditions are currently within acceptable levels to lift fire restrictions across NE Minnesota including the Superior National Forest” –Ben Roy, Acting Forest Management Officer for the Superior and Chippewa National Forest.

I think it's a little premature but they can always reinstate it if things start to dry up. But glad I may get to have a campfire in August after all.

Figured that’d be our luck haha, just got back from a 7 day trip, only day it didn’t rain on us was yesterday paddling out, had perfect paddling weather thankfully.

Let’s gooooooooooooooooooooooo!!!!!!

Yesss! I was resigned to my first ever no fire trip. Arriving in ELY on the 9th.

Leaving tomorrow and now have to re-pack for s'mores. The kids will be so happy.

Please correct me if I'm wrong, but it appears the lift that happened July 3 is defunct, by the looks of: https://www.fs.usda.gov/alerts/superior/alerts-notices/?aid=80841

adam: "
Superior National Forest Lifts Fire Restrictions Starting Monday, July 3rd.


"Recent precipitation helps reduce drought levels in northern Minnesota.


Duluth, Minn., June 30, 2023—Beginning Monday morning, July 3, 2023, at 12:01 a.m., the Superior National Forest will rescind Emergency Forest Order #09-09-23-02, including Exhibit A and B. Order 09-0-23-02 restricted the igniting, building, maintaining, attending, or using a fire or campfire, including charcoal grills and barbeques, coal, and woodburning stoves put in place to reduce the likelihood of a wildfire on the Superior National Forest, including the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness."


“We have received between 2-3 inches of widespread rain within the last seven days around the area. In working with interagency fire managers, we have determined that fire conditions are currently within acceptable levels to lift fire restrictions across NE Minnesota including the Superior National Forest” –Ben Roy, Acting Forest Management Officer for the Superior and Chippewa National Forest."

kunamatata: "Please correct me if I'm wrong, but it appears the lift that happened July 3 is defunct, by the looks of: https://www.fs.usda.gov/alerts/superior/alerts-notices/?aid=80841

Per my understanding, ban is lifted. There have been campfires happening up there. & I haven’t seen rangers shutting it down. Paddling Ensign late Friday night was interesting, so many campfires billowing smoke onto the lake during conditions just after/during scattered showers. Fog on the lake & smoke billowing in from campfires held low to the surface by the weather conditions, it was a sight to behold. Tried to GoPro it, haven’t checked footage yet to see if it captured the scene.

Edit: My mistake, I thought your quote was the linked alert. It appears a new ban is in effect. Folks on Ensign Friday must have not been aware. Imho, ban is not needed or has been relieved past few days, it’s rained a good deal recently & has been in 60s. Id say it has been more wet than dry up here recently. That said, I don’t get paid the big bucks to make these decisions.

I don't see any new ban imposed. The OP links are to the original June 13 announcement of the ban effective June 14. That ban was lifted effective July 3. I'm not seeing anything new imposed via the USFS site or the BWCA site. Admittedly, they are not always the easiest sites to search. Are you seeing something other than the June announcement? Thanks!

JohnGalt: "

kunamatata: "Please correct me if I'm wrong, but it appears the lift that happened July 3 is defunct, by the looks of: https://www.fs.usda.gov/alerts/superior/alerts-notices/?aid=80841

Per my understanding, ban is lifted. There have been campfires happening up there. & I haven’t seen rangers shutting it down. Paddling Ensign late Friday night was interesting, so many campfires billowing smoke onto the lake during conditions just after/during scattered showers. Fog on the lake & smoke billowing in from campfires held low to the surface by the weather conditions, it was a sight to behold. Tried to GoPro it, haven’t checked footage yet to see if it captured the scene.

Edit: My mistake, I thought your quote was the linked alert. It appears a new ban is in effect. Folks on Ensign Friday must have not been aware. Imho, ban is not needed or has been relieved past few days, it’s rained a good deal recently & has been in 60s. Id say it has been more wet than dry up here recently. That said, I don’t get paid the big bucks to make these decisions."

As of July 18th there are NO fire restrictions in place for the BWCA. We are still in drought conditions so keep fires small and make sure they are fully extinguished before you leave.