BWCA entry re-openings move west

REGIONAL- The Superior National Forest will reopen 11 additional overnight entry points on the western side of the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness on Wednesday, Aug. 5, as wildfire activity moderates in portions of the region.

The openings include nine entry points in the Kawishiwi Ranger District and two in the LaCroix Ranger District.

The Kawishiwi entry points opening for overnight use are:

• No. 6, Slim Lake
• No. 25, Moose Lake
• No. 26, Wood Lake
• No. 27, Snowbank Lake
• No. 28, Snowbank Lake Only
• No. 29, North Kawishiwi River
• No. 30, Lake One
• No. 31, Farm Lake
• No. 32, South Kawishiwi River

Paddle travel from the Moose Lake entry point will not be allowed beyond Lewis Narrows and Upper Basswood Falls.

In the LaCroix Ranger District, No. 1, Trout Lake, and No. 4, Crab Lake and Cummings Lake, will reopen for overnight use Wednesday.

Several of the Kawishiwi locations had previously reopened for day use and are now being opened to overnight travel. Slim Lake and Wood Lake were not included among those earlier day-use openings.

No. 33, Little Gabbro Lake, in the Kawishiwi Ranger District, had already reopened for overnight use July 30. Motorized day use at Trout Lake in the LaCroix Ranger District also reopened July 30.

Four western entry points directly affected by the wildfires will remain closed through the end of the quota permit season on Sept. 30. They include No. 11, Blandin Trail; No. 14, Little Indian Sioux River North; No. 15, Sioux-Hustler Trail; and No. 19, Stuart River.

The Forest Service said those areas require maintenance and rehabilitation before they can safely reopen. Work could include removing hazardous standing and fallen trees, clearing portages and campsites, and replacing latrines and other damaged infrastructure.

Permit reservations for other entry points that remain closed have been cancelled through Aug. 10. The Forest Service said visitors whose entry points remain closed will receive refunds after their original entry dates.

Campgrounds reopening

The Forest Service also announced that Fall Lake and Fenske Lake campgrounds near Ely will reopen Friday, Aug. 7. Both have been closed since July 15 because of the wildfires.

Officials said moderating fire activity near the two campgrounds made the reopening possible, although plans could change if wildfire activity increases.

A number of other developed recreation sites on the western side of the Superior National Forest remain closed. Reservation cancellations at closed sites have been extended through Aug. 10.

Fire danger continues

Although portions of the forest and BWCAW are reopening, several large wildfires remain active and new fires can still start under current conditions.

The Forest Service reported Monday that the Finstad Fire, a new lightning-caused fire near Finstad Lake, southeast of Buyck, was detected Saturday, Aug. 1. The fire was estimated at one-tenth of an acre and was being addressed with aerial suppression.

The July Lightning Incident had burned a combined 64,718 acres  in the Superior National Forest as of Monday, with about 960 personnel remaining engaged with firefighting activities. Firefighters continue working on the Bear Trap, Sioux, Wolfpack, Thumb, Camp, and other fires affecting the western Superior National Forest and portions of the BWCAW.

The Forest Service cautioned visitors entering recently reopened portions of the wilderness to be self-sufficient, check weather forecasts and current fire conditions, and share their travel plans with family or friends. Visitors are also encouraged to carry multiple means of communication and recognize the risks associated with travel in a remote wilderness area affected by wildfire.

Reopening plans could be changed if fire activity increases or conditions shift. Current closure information is available at https://www.fs.usda.gov/r09/superior/alerts.