A lightning strike sparked a wildfire near the Horse River in the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness (BWCAW). This comes after an active wildfire season, which has scorched nearly 30,000 acres in the Superior National Forest. The fire started on May 22 after a storm swept through the area. As of June 4, the fire is 0% contained. Since then, the Forest Service has issued a closure order for the entire winter route along the Dog Sled Portage and has encouraged visitors to avoid the area.
Horse River Fire
June 4 Update:
Size: 13 acres
Status: 0% Contained
Located approximately 16 miles north of Ely, Minnesota, and a little south of the Canadian border, the Horse River Fire is burning deep within the BWCAW. It’s northeast of Mudro Entry Point #23, a popular destination for canoe travelers. The blaze follows an active spring of fires in the national forest, most of which crews have already contained or nearly contained.
The National Incident Management Organization (NIMO), operating under the USFS-Superior National Forest, is leading the wildfire response. NIMO specializes in managing long-term and complicated incidents. Officials expect to fully suppress the fire but emphasize that keeping firefighters safe remains their top priority.
Hazardous trees pose one of the main challenges for fire crews. These include trees with broken tops or hanging limbs. In some cases, disease has weakened root systems, increasing the risk of falling. In addition, high winds or intense heat from the fire can cause these trees to crash unexpectedly.
Twenty-six personnel are working to manage the fire, but due to its remote location and difficult terrain, all support efforts rely on air or canoe travel. Fire behavior has been described as “smoldering, creeping, and occasional torching.” The Horse River flows through a mixed conifer forest and boggy landscape just south of the international border. Ground crews report little blowdown in the area, however, they say the vegetation remains thick. They also noted that as of Wednesday, June 4, they found no additional heat sources outside the existing fire perimeter.
Closure order in effect
Forest Supervisor Tom Hall issued a forest closure order that took effect on May 27. The order affects only the winter route (Dog Sled portage) between Lower Basswood Falls and Jackfish Bay on Basswood Lake. For safety reasons, officials advise paddlers to avoid the Horse River area. The fire is more than a mile from the nearest canoe route and does not currently pose a threat to people or any structures.
The U.S. Forest Service (USFS) has notified permit holders, local outfitters, and other cooperators of the closure. Canoeists should plan alternative routes, possibly heading west of Horse Lake. Although moderately dry conditions persist, forecasters expect rain later this week, which will hopefully reduce some of the burning.
Aside from closures related to current wildfires, the national forest remains open to the public, and campfires are allowed. Officials are providing daily updates through the USFS Facebook page and online at InciWeb.
More info:
- Horse River Fire – InciWeb
- Superior National Forest issues Closure Order for Horse River Fire – USFS-Superior National Forest
- Jenkins Creek containment increases; Horse River estimated at 13 acres – KAXE
- Fire update and maps of the Jenkins Creek Fire and Horse River Fire for Wednesday, June 4, 2025. USFS-Superior National Forest