Campfires restricted in the BWCAW starting July 11

Citing continued dry conditions and wildfire activity, the Superior National Forest is issuing an Emergency Forest Order banning campfires within the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness (BWCAW), effective 12:01 a.m. Saturday, July 11, 2026, until rescinded.

The order restricts igniting, building, maintaining, attending, or using a fire or campfire — including charcoal grills and barbecues, coal, and wood-burning stoves — to reduce the likelihood of a wildfire within the wilderness. Gas or propane cook stoves are allowed throughout the BWCAW; stoves or grills fueled by charcoal or any type of wood are not.

The restrictions come as the forest responds to numerous wildfires sparked since a July 6 lightning storm, including several inside the BWCAW. The Forest Service also issued an emergency closure order July 10 closing three wildfire areas in the wilderness and thirteen associated entry points, recreation sites, and trails, effective the same day.

According to the Forest Service, the potential for wildfire is currently high across northern Minnesota. The agency urges care with any sources of ignition, such as smoking devices, dragging chains, and recreational vehicles. For those in locations where campfires are permitted outside the BWCAW, the agency asks people to consider whether conditions are right and whether a fire is needed, to keep campfires small, to put them out cold to the touch before leaving, and to attend all permitted campfires at all times.

Campfire restriction information and the closure map will be posted to the forest’s Alerts page.

More information:

• Superior National Forest Alerts (USDA Forest Service)
• Minnesota Incident Command System — statewide fire restriction information
• July 2026 Superior NF Wildfires (InciWeb)
• Superior National Forest Facebook Page