July 2026 Superior National Forest Wildfires Facts Sheet
Jul 10, 2026 04:03PM ● By Editor
From the US Forest Service - July 10, 2026
Fire Information
Inciweb: https://inciweb.wildfire.gov/
On the evening of July 6, 2026, a storm system moved through the area with thunder and lightning and little precipitation. The following day, several small wildfires were reported. Local and off‑forest firefighting resources are conducting suppression on these fires. With warm and dry summer conditions, additional wildfires are being detected daily.
Currently, the forest has 17 active wildfires, with four inside the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness (BWCAW). Nine new fires were reported yesterday. The Newton Fire, which started 7/7/2026, off Newton Lake is controlled and contained. Three fires, Section Three Pond and Echo 2, are also now contained. Minnesota Department of Natural Resources is assisting with suppression activities within the forest. Quetico Provincial Park and Ontario also have numerous fires.
National Weather Service Forecast: Today– A slight chance of showers between 3pm and 4pm, then a slight chance of showers and thunderstorms after 4pm. Mostly sunny, with a high near 84. Calm wind becoming southwest around 5 mph in the afternoon. Chance of precipitation is 20%. Tonight–A chance of showers and thunderstorms before 10pm, then a slight chance of showers between 10pm and midnight. Partly cloudy, with a low around 60. Southwest wind around 5 mph becoming calm in the evening. Chance of precipitation is 30%.
Air Operations: Aircraft are available and may be brought in to help support the fire. A reminder - flying drones over the fire is prohibited. If drones are detected near the fire, any air operations supporting the fire will stop. Drones are illegal in federally designated wilderness areas.
Fire Information
Inciweb: https://inciweb.wildfire.gov/
Closures & Fire Restrictions
Superior National Forest has issued an Emergency Forest Closure order for portions of the BWCAW and Fire Restrictions within the BWCAW this morning, effective tomorrow, July 11, 2026. More information on the forest’s Alerts page, Inciweb, Facebook and X will be coming soon.
Overview
On the evening of July 6, 2026, a storm system moved through the area with thunder and lightning and little precipitation. The following day, several small wildfires were reported. Local and off‑forest firefighting resources are conducting suppression on these fires. With warm and dry summer conditions, additional wildfires are being detected daily.Currently, the forest has 17 active wildfires, with four inside the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness (BWCAW). Nine new fires were reported yesterday. The Newton Fire, which started 7/7/2026, off Newton Lake is controlled and contained. Three fires, Section Three Pond and Echo 2, are also now contained. Minnesota Department of Natural Resources is assisting with suppression activities within the forest. Quetico Provincial Park and Ontario also have numerous fires.
Wildfires
Firefighters are assessing fire conditions, working on access into the fires, and developing suppression plans for the new fires.- Chub Fire started 7/9/2026, Size–10 acres. Location– North of Chub Lake, southwest of Crane Lake.
- Bug Creek started 7/9/2026. Size–0.10 acres. Location–South of Chub Lake.
- 614 started 7/9/2026. Size–7.3 acres. Location–Northwest of Ash Lake/East of Hwy 53.
- Camp 5/Duck started 7/9/2026. Size–0.1 acres. Location–North of Elephant Lake
- Nine Fire started 7/9/2026. Size–4 acres. Location–South of Echo Lake.
- Creek Fire started 7/9/2026. Size–1.5-acres. Location–Northwest of Chub Lake.
- Coffin Fire started 7/9/2026. Size– 0.10 acre. Location–Northwest of Echo Lake.
- Wolfpack Fire (BWCAW) started 7/9/2026. Size–2 acres. Location–Southeast of Wolfpack Lake
- Sioux Fire started 7/9/2026. Size–6 acre. Location–North of the Echo Trail and east of Jeanette Campground. Status: Firefighting resources are working on direct suppression.
- Ridge Fire/Marion Creek Fire started 7/8/2026. Size–4.5 acres. Location–East of the Vermilion River
- Beaver Tail Fire started 7/8/2026. Size–1 acre. Location–West of the Vermilion River
- Fools Gold started 7/8/2026, Size–1.5-acres, Location–West of Norway Road and south of Lake Jeanette. Cause: Unknown. Status: Firefighters and aircraft are conducting direct suppression on the fire. 15% contained.
- Echo 2 Fire started 7/8/2026, Size–0.25 acres. Location–off the Echo Rapids Rd, north of Echo Lake. Status: The fire is 100% contained.
- Camp Fire started 7/7/2026, Size–1 acre. Location–8 miles N/NE of the Cloquet Line near Ely. Cause is under investigation. Status: Crews have made great progress and have started to mop up. 80% contained.
- Bear Trap Fire (BWCAW) started 7/7/2026, Size–2-acres. Location–off the Bear Trap River & N of Sunday Lake. Caused by lightning. Status: Remote with difficult access. Minimal fire activity and aircraft are dropping water on this fire.
- Thumb Fire (BWCAW) started 7/7/2026, Size–20 acres. Location–remote & located between Thumb and Contentment Lakes. Caused by lightning. Status Remote with difficult access. Aircraft are conducting water drops on that fire.
- Section 3 Pond Fire (BWCAW) started 7/7/2026, Size– 2 acres. Location–on Section Pond, east of Lac La Croix. Cause is under investigation. Status: Crews made great progress and started mopping up. This fire is 100% contained.
National Weather Service Forecast: Today– A slight chance of showers between 3pm and 4pm, then a slight chance of showers and thunderstorms after 4pm. Mostly sunny, with a high near 84. Calm wind becoming southwest around 5 mph in the afternoon. Chance of precipitation is 20%. Tonight–A chance of showers and thunderstorms before 10pm, then a slight chance of showers between 10pm and midnight. Partly cloudy, with a low around 60. Southwest wind around 5 mph becoming calm in the evening. Chance of precipitation is 30%.
Air Operations: Aircraft are available and may be brought in to help support the fire. A reminder - flying drones over the fire is prohibited. If drones are detected near the fire, any air operations supporting the fire will stop. Drones are illegal in federally designated wilderness areas.
