Boundary Waters Quetico Forum :: Quetico Forum :: Quetico Closes
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mapsguy1955 |
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Captn Tony |
jdddl8: "I just got my refund without applying. I’ve always wanted to do that route! Have a great trip! |
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Argo |
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. |
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Minnesotian |
Damn it. |
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Banksiana |
Sigh |
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Argo |
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jdddl8 |
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TrailZen |
jdddl8: "I just got my refund without applying. Have a great trip, John! Looking forward to your trip report/comments, especially if you'd recommend the route for seasoned paddlers. TZ |
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Banksiana |
tumblehome: "Argo: "I am well past the point where I see the logic in letting these fires run their course. " 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. |
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jdddl8 |
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flaxman |
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Minnesotian |
TrailZen: "jdddl8: "I just got my refund without applying. Agreed. I am always looking for places to add to my list. |
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PeaceFrog |
tumblehome: "Argo: "I am well past the point where I see the logic in letting these fires run their course. " Agreed |
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Banksiana |
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sns |
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? |
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Jaywalker |
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. |
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TrailZen |
TZ |
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goatroti |
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 |
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Banksiana |
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northerntrader |
jdddl8: " 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. |
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joewildlife |
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 |
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Hoaf |
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Gaidin53 |
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 |
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AmarilloJim |
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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. |
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TrailZen |
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. |
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flaxman |
TrailZen: "Our permit date is August 28. Calling today to see if ANY chance of reopening by then, but we're not overly optimistic. I'll be eager to hear what they tell you. |
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Banksiana |
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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 |
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Gaidin53 |
Ryan |
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Waterboy |
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. |
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Banksiana |
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mapsguy1955 |
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4keys |
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. |
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gymcoachdon |
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Jaywalker |
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Minnesotian |
Banksiana: "tumblehome: "Argo: "I am well past the point where I see the logic in letting these fires run their course. " 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. |
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tumblehome |
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 |
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gymcoachdon |
2nd year of getting my fishing license and outdoors card early, and it going unused if conditions hold. |
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flaxman |
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HighnDry |
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whyzata |
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