Cooking a meal over a fire at a designated fire grate in the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness. Photo courtesy of Robert McAdams.

Superior National Forests lifts BWCAW campfire ban


We're lifting fire restrictions across the forest and the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness management area. This means that visitors will again be able to have campfires at designated fire grates in the BWCAW, and in the forest at rustic and backcountry campsites. The use of charcoal grills, barbecues, tiki torches and other stoves is permitted allowed.

Rain and cooler temps lessen the chance of a fire becoming established, however, fires can still start with the right set of conditions in he fall. Help us minimize the chance of unwanted fire by practicing the following:

Camp only at designated sites and use official fire grates for your campfires.

Keep your fire small, not tall!

To ensure your campfire is fully extinguished before leaving the fire unattended, drown, stir and touch your campfire to ensure the fire is dead out. Repeat until it is cold to the touch.

Use fire starters and/or kindling, rather than flammable liquids to get your campfire started.

Avoid parking vehicles over tall, dry grass (vehicles cause more acreage burned than any other equipment).