Update: June 28, 2023
The Superior National Forest is removing the Spice Lake Fire closure order #09-09-23-04 for the area within the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness affected by the wildfire. Specific lakes and portages will be reopened on Friday, June 30, 2023. The announcement reads:
“Recent cooler weather and precipitation has moved fire managers to categorizing the Spice Lake Fire as now 100 percent controlled. A fire is considered controlled when the control line has been strengthened and secured making it unlikely for the fire to escape the bounds of the line. Firefighters have cooled all hotspots adjacent to the line and removed any unburnt fuel in the area surrounding the line. Please be aware that forest fires can make remaining standing trees unstable and potentially fall over due to burnt roots within and around the fire area. Please use caution if traveling near the fire area.”
Update: June 24, 2023
The Spice Lake Fire has now been declared 100 percent contained at about 22 acres in size, and the part of the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness closed to the public has been reduced (see map below). A national team that led management of the fire has now left the area and turned over management back to the Gunflint Ranger District.
MNICS Team B-Spice Lake Fire Closure Video from IC Aaron Mielke pic.twitter.com/vcrHcyFCHD
— SuperiorNF (@SuperiorNF) June 21, 2023
Current closures:
Lakes:
- Annie Lake
- Kingfisher Lake
- Ogishkemuncie Lake
- Skindance Lake
- Spice Lake
- Tickle Lake
Portages:
- Jasper Lake to Kingfisher
- Kingfisher Lake to Ogishkemuncie Lake
- Ogishkemuncie Lake to Holt Lake
- Ogishkemuncie Lake to Skindance Lake
- Ogishkemuncie Lake to Spice Lake
- Ogishkemuncie Lake to Annie Lake
- Ogishkemuncie Lake to Mueller Lake
- Annie Lake to Jenny Lake
Photos courtesy U.S. Forest Service
More Information:
Update: June 18, 2023
Spice Lake Fire in BWCA determined to be caused by humans
The Spice Lake Fire was about 65 percent contained today, with firefighters making significant progress cutting lines and laying hoses around the flames. The fire was observed as creeping and smoldering in brush.
Fire investigators visited the fire on June 17 and made an initial determination that it was caused by humans. There was not a fire ban in effect when the blaze was first detected on June 13, though one was announced within hours. A fire ban remains in effect, as well as the closure of a large portion of the BWCAW surrounding the Spice Lake Fire.
Photos courtesy U.S. Forest Service
Update: June 15, 2023
Spice Lake Wildfire in Boundary Waters Canoe Area causes closures
A portion of lands within the BWCAW in the Superior National Forest will be closed effective June 16.
Today the USDA Forest Service announced temporary closures in the area of the Spice Lake Fire in the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness (BWCAW). The restrictions will go into effect June 16, 2023; see Exhibit A map of the area. The closure may be modified or extended as conditions allow.
The USFS release states:
The Forest Order closures include:
- All trails, portages, rivers, and lakes within the closure area (see in Exhibit A), including but not limited to 47 locations as noted.
- All zones of the of the Pitfall Pristine Management Area (1 through 3), and the Mugwump Pristine Management Area (1 through 5).
- The Kekekabic Trail- the area from the BWCAW boundary west of the Gunflint Trail to the series of portages between Thomas Lake and Ima Lake (see Exhibit A).
The Forest Service has notified permit holders and outfitters and is encouraging permit holders to seek an alternate area of the BWCAW or consider non-wilderness areas of the SNF (see below) for similar experiences. At this time overnight paddle, day use and motorized day use is not permitted in the closure area.
We understand that this will have a significant impact on our visitors, cooperators, and communities near the SNF. This emergency closure is necessary for the safety of our visitors, our wilderness rangers and our fire-fighters.
The closures are limited, if you have a Boundary Waters Trip planned for the affected area contact your outfitter or the Ranger Station for your Entry Point with questions.
Update: June 14, 2023
A wildfire is currently burning near the end of the Gunflint Trail in the BWCAW. The US Forest Service says the fire was detected between Spice Lake and Ogishkemuncie Lake in the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness. “Active and moderate fire activity was witnessed in a mixed boreal forest with aspen, pine, and balsam fir tree species. There is also evidence of spruce budworm-affected trees which means dead down and standing trees which can cause active fire behavior,” the Superior National Forest reported.
Fire personnel made contact with canoe groups in the area to ensure their safety and management/suppression strategies are in development. Aircraft dropped water on the fire throughout the day on June 14 and firefighters are being transported to the area using float planes. Closures in the area and adjustments to entry point quotas may be announced, check this page for ongoing updates or the Superior National Forest Facebook page for the latest information.
Size: about 30 acres
Location: between Spice Lake and Ogishkemuncie Lake, about 10 miles west of Gunflint Trail
A campfire ban is in place for the BWCAW, Voyageurs National Park and Superior National Forest.
More information: Superior National Forest Fire Restrictions Information
