Tiger, Loon and Buck Wildfire Update - June 8, 2026
Jun 08, 2026 05:54PM ● By Editor
From USDA Forest Service - June 8, 2026
Incident Name: Tiger Fire Size: 1 acre Personnel: 10 Fire Information: https://inciweb.wildfire.gov/incident-information/mnsuf-tiger-fire Cause: Lightning from thunderstorms that moved through the area on June 4, 2026 Location: East end of Lac La Croix between Tiger Bay and Boulder Bay approximately 22 miles east of Crane Lake MN, near the Canadian border. Current Status: Mid-afternoon on June 6, 2026, the Tiger Fire was detected during a routine fire patrol flight on the LaCroix Ranger District of the Superior National Forest within the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness (BWCAW). The threats from this fire or what firefighters commonly refer to as values at risk include wilderness visitors in the immediate area, 2-4 wilderness campsites, and the nearby Lac La Croix Administrative Site, a historic Forest Service site with Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC) built structures. The initial suppression strategy on June 6 prioritized using the large chinook helicopter to make water drops on the Tiger Fire to reduce fire intensity and stop the fire from spreading. Firefighters developed options for direct extinguishment of the fire yesterday while planning for firefighter safety due to heavy dead and downed trees and the presence of fire affected hazard trees. The Tiger Fire was declared this morning. Planned Actions: On June 7, fire activity was observed as creeping and smoldering following the helicopter water bucket drops. Firefighters established a safe access route from the lakeshore to the fire area and constructed a small fire line around the fire area. A water pump site has been established, and a hose line is set up to deliver water to the fire’s edge. The fire line and hose line will allow the fire crew to continue the process of mopping up today, which means to seek out hot spots and extinguish any flames or pockets of heat. Aircraft are available for water drops as needed. Closures: There are no closures within the BWCAW although a few campsites near the fire may need to be temporarily closed for public and firefighter safety. This remains an active wildfire and conditions could change. The public is asked to STAY OUT of the fire areas for public and firefighter safety. Unauthorized unmanned aircraft system (UAS) flights threaten firefighter safety and wildland fire suppression efforts and are NOT allowed near the fire area and are illegal in federally designated wilderness areas. |
___________________________________________________________ Incident Name: Loon Fire Size: 10 acres Personnel: 10 Fire Information: https://inciweb.wildfire.gov/incident-information/mnsuf-loon-fire Cause: Lightning from thunderstorms that moved through the area on June 4, 2026 Location: East of East Loon Bay on Loon Lake approximately 11 miles east of Crane Lake, MN. Current Status: On June 6, 2026, the Loon Fire was detected during a routine fire patrol flight on the LaCroix Ranger District of the Superior National Forest within the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness (BWCAW). The threats from this fire or what firefighters commonly refer to as values at risk include wilderness visitors in the immediate area, 2-4 wilderness campsites, and part of the Sioux-Hustler Hiking Trail. The initial suppression strategy on June 7 prioritized using a large chinook helicopter and a second smaller helicopter to make water bucket drops to slow fire spread and reduce intensity. Ten firefighters were transported to the fire to evaluate access routes and develop options for direct extinguishment of the fire. Planned Actions: Yesterday, fire activity was observed as creeping and smoldering with light winds. The two helicopters continued to work on the fire with water drops to establish a safe starting point for ground crews to work on direct suppression. Fire-weakened trees are a concern for firefighter safety so crews will need to carefully evaluate access routes and locations to set up pumps and hose. Aircraft are available for water drops as needed. Closures: There are no closures within the BWCAW although a few campsites near the fire may need to be temporarily closed for public and firefighter safety. This remains an active wildfire and conditions could change. The public is asked to STAY OUT of the fire areas for public and firefighter safety. Unauthorized unmanned aircraft system (UAS) flights threaten firefighter safety and wildland fire suppression efforts and are NOT allowed near the fire area and are illegal in federally designated wilderness areas. |
___________________________________________________________ Incident Name: Buck Fire Size: 1/4 acre Personnel: 0 Fire Information: https://inciweb.wildfire.gov/incident-information/mnsuf-buck-fire Cause: Lightning from thunderstorms that moved through the area on June 4, 2026 Location: A half mile north of Buck Lake approximately 12 miles north of Tower, MN. Current Status: Early afternoon on June 7, 2026, the Buck Fire was detected during a routine fire patrol flight on the LaCroix Ranger District of the Superior National Forest within the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness (BWCAW). Fire activity was observed as smoldering around the tree that was struck by lightning. Yesterday, fire managers flew over the fire to evaluate access routes and develop an initial suppression strategy. A large helicopter was used late in the afternoon to conduct water bucket drops to reduce fire intensity and slow fire spread. Access to the fire’s location is very difficult and the risk to firefighters high, compared to the fire activity. Planned Actions: The fire will be monitored from the air and a helicopter used for water bucket drops if needed. The forecast for today includes the chance of rain which could assist in extinguishing this fire. Depending on the effects of the forecasted rain, firefighters may be transported to the fire to take direct suppression actions. Closures: There are no current closures within the BWCAW for this fire. This remains an active wildfire and conditions could change. Unauthorized unmanned aircraft system (UAS) flights threaten firefighter safety and wildland fire suppression efforts and are NOT allowed near the fire area and are illegal in federally designated wilderness areas. ### |
_____________________________________________________________________________________ About the Forest Service: The USDA Forest Service has for more than 100 years brought people and communities together to answer the call of conservation. Grounded in world-class science and technology– and rooted in communities–the Forest Service connects people to nature and to each other. The Forest Service cares for shared natural resources in ways that promote lasting economic, ecological, and social vitality. The agency manages 193 million acres of public land, provides assistance to state and private landowners, maintains the largest wildland fire and forestry research organizations in the world. The Forest Service also has either a direct or indirect role in stewardship of about 900 million forested acres within the U.S., of which over 130 million acres are urban forests where most Americans live. |
