Support the Timberjay by making a donation.
BWCAW to reopen Sept. 4
Forest Service determines that rains, cooler temperatures have moderated fire risks
REGIONAL— Portions of the Boundary Waters Canoe Area will be reopening effective on Saturday, Sept. 4. The U.S. Forest Service made that announcement late Wednesday, after the Timberjay’s weekly presstime.
The lifting of the closure, which has been in place since Aug. 21, includes all of the wilderness with the exception of relatively small areas of closure around the Greenwood, John Ek, and Whelp fires. The Forest Service has also modified the areas affected by those closures.
“We’re thrilled to reopen some of our public lands to visitors,” said Connie Cummins, forest supervisor on the Superior. “The drought is not over but we’re starting to see more rain and lower temperatures. These conditions moderate fire activity and lessen the chance of new fires showing up,” Cummins added.
The Forest Service decision means any previously reserved permits on or after Sept. 4 is still valid. Users can begin reserving available quota permits beginning on Thursday, Sept. 2 at 12 noon at recreation.gov.
