More BWCAW entry points reopen; firefighting continues

REGIONAL- Continued progress on wildfires burning across the Superior National Forest is allowing the Forest Service to reopen more of the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness, with more than 1,600 campsites now open or scheduled to reopen on Thursday.
The latest round of openings includes seven entry points in the Kawishiwi and LaCroix ranger districts, along with three trails elsewhere in the forest. The Forest Service has also reduced the closure surrounding the Little Knife Fire, reopening 40 campsites.
While significant firefighting work remains, the Eastern Area Complex Incident Management Team has scaled back its public updates from daily reports to Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays.
In the Kawishiwi Ranger District, Entry Point 74, Kekekabic Trail West/Snowbank, and Entry Point 91, North Country Trail West, reopened on Tuesday. Entry Point 7, From Big Lake, is scheduled to reopen on Thursday.
Three entry points in the LaCroix Ranger District will also reopen on Thursday. They are Entry Point 8, Moose River South; Entry Point 10, Norway Trail; and Entry Point 76, Big Moose Trail.
Some western entry points and surrounding lands remain closed. Reservations for Entry Point 9, Little Indian Sioux River South, have been cancelled through Monday, Aug. 17, while reservations for Entry Point 16, Moose/Portage River North, have been cancelled for the remainder of the quota permit season.
National Forest land along the northern portion of the Echo Trail also remains closed, although the road itself is open. Travelers are advised to use caution because wildfire operations continue along the corridor.
The Cloquet Line Road is open, but National Forest land between the road and the wilderness boundary remains closed.
The Forest Service cautioned that some campsites outside the Little Knife closure remain unavailable because of wildfire impacts. Visitors should not use campsites marked as closed and should be alert for fire-weakened trees that could fall. Portages, campsites, and latrines within burned areas may also have sustained damage.
Firefighting continues
The July Lightning Incident had burned a combined 73,742 acres in the United States and Canada as of Monday, with 761 personnel assigned.
Firefighters continued securing control features on the north side of the 4,359-acre Camp Fire, located five miles north of Winton, as well as along a finger extending east of Pipestone Bay. The fire was listed as 84 percent contained.
Crews were nearing completion of containment line along the east side of the 6,912-acre Sioux Fire, extending toward Ramshead Lake. The fire, located north of the Echo Trail and east of Jeanette Campground, was 35 percent contained.
On the 6,239-acre Wolfpack Fire, firefighters had established operations at Lake Pauness and were preparing to begin ground work. The fire, located north of the Echo Trail and east of Loon Lake, was 23 percent contained.
Treatment of hot spots along the south side of the Bear Trap Fire was nearly complete. Crews were also scouting possible secondary containment lines between Fourtown, Horse, and Crooked lakes.
The Bear Trap Fire had burned 38,098 acres in the United States and Canada, including 29,991 acres in the United States. It was listed as 41 percent contained.
Crews assigned to the remote Thumb Fire continued improving portages and installing hose in the Eugene Lake area. Fire managers were also considering firing operations near Loon Lake to strengthen containment lines.
The Thumb Fire had burned 18,134 acres, including 17,634 acres in the United States, and was 48 percent contained.
Helicopters remained a key part of the firefighting effort. On Sunday alone, aircraft dropped 21,600 gallons of water while also completing 11 cargo deliveries, five backhauls, two reconnaissance flights, and transporting 16 passengers.
The Little Knife Fire, which is being managed separately by the Superior National Forest, was estimated at 4,815 acres and was 90 percent contained as of Monday. Twelve personnel remained assigned to the fire.
Despite the improving conditions, officials cautioned that dry fuels could still support additional fire spread. Reopening plans may be adjusted if wildfire activity increases.
Current closure maps and recreation information are available at www.fs.usda.gov/r09/superior/alerts. Updated fire information is available at inciweb.wildfire.gov/incident-information/mnsuf-july-2026-superior-nf-wildfires.