Does anyone know of ways people can help with the fire situation? Not even sure what that would be but I know I'd be willing to take some PTO If I knew there was something I could do to make a difference.

Just feel like I should be doing more.

I thought about after the fires end of calling the FS and asking the same.

Campsite/portage evaluation and clearing.

Sound like many people left in a hurry without packing up gear. That all needs to be addressed and hopefully returned to the rightful owners. If not burnt to ash.

WELY was organizing or coordinating some donation efforts for fire fighting personnel I think.

The other best things we can do might be to support our favorite Ely businesses and organizations. Buy a gift certification. Plan a trip for September or next year and get on their books. Donate to the Bear and Wolf Centers, the Molter Museum. Support local artists like the Northern Lakes Arts Association. These are just some possibilities. The local business owners are going to suffer even without such assistance. Plus, the staff and business owners may not be able to get to their homes.

This might not be of the immediate nature your are asking about….Make a commitment to yourself to reduce your C02 emissions. Speak to your friends and family about doing the same.

Many of us here take seriously always wearing a PDF. I encourage people to be as thoughtful about their own impacts. There are small choices everyday that add up.

Yes, fires have always happened. But changing the composition of the atmosphere is changing their behavior. The spruce budworm is also thriving in these new conditions, a significant contributing factor to the current fires.

The spruce budworm is a contributing factor to the fires. Let us remember that it is a native bug (worm) and that it sort of runs on a 60 year cycle.

Last big outbreak was the early 60’s. It’s just about run its course now and it killed most of the trees it found. I saw minimal bud worm activity this year so most balsams (think Christmas tree) that are alive, mostly younger ones might make it. A billion dead balsams now stand in the woods.

Some people surmise that after we took out the red and white pine forests in the late 1800’s and 1900’s that balsams became a dominant understory tree and that the forest is out of balance. If that’s the case then things are leveling out now.

The Ely Blueberry fest is next weekend. If the fires tame down, they will still do it. We will hear more.

Ely needs us as much as we need Ely. Go plan a visit if you can.
I’m sure when the time comes to assist, we will know and all be able to help us all heal.
Tom

There is also this, which looks useful:

Tom, lovely comment thank you.

I feel you Cricket67.
I just listened to the Friends of the Boundary Waters podcast. Two outfitters spoke about the huge financial impact this will have on them. Claire from Sawbill said they are losing thousands of dollars a day.

Three ways to help:
- Don’t cancel all summer trips just yet. Many outfitters are still open and need your business. If you cancel your stay, consider donating your deposit to the outfitter.
-Go shop at outfitter’s stores and online stores.
-Purchase gift cards from Boundary Waters adjacent businesses. (Never too early to shop for holidays!?)

You can also check out Ely Community Response Facebook page.

Cabinafter - great suggestions. I will be canceling a trip due to a back issue, not the fires, but I will donate my deposit for lodging . It's not much but I feel for those that work so hard to make and keep this amazing place so special for all of us. Those that are able, please help/support them.

I’m going to throw a shout out to all the other things going on in these communities. I know some of you drive or fly long distances to experience canoe country. Maybe it’s not doable for everyone. I’m familiar with things going on in Ely so I’m going to pass along ideas.

Today the smoke wasn’t too bad so went out for a paddle on a lake open for business in the Ely area. It was beautiful out and didn’t see another person. So many places to go paddle and still see few people. Camping is available first come first served on many lakes.

This coming Friday there is live music at the State Theater in town. Stony River is having an album release show. They call Ely home and recently played at the Blue Ox Festival. Check out there social media for more info.

The local arts association has Broadway in the Boundary Waters going on. The productions have gotten rave reviews from people near and far. Check out Northern Lakes Arts Association for more details.

Anyone have other local knowledge to share of things going on?

Maybe its the year you check out all the things you’ve thought about but didn’t have time to do.

Along with supporting the great outfitters!$/alodges by purchasing merch or allowing a deposit to move to a future year, we also encourage support for the Ely Food Shelf. A portion of every purchase from our store supports the Ely Food Shelf, but we would encourage direct giving.