Wildfire Emergency Closure Order Updated by Superior NF
Jul 11, 2026 05:47AM ● By Editor
From the US Forest Service - July 11, 2026
Q. Which recreation sites are affected by this Closure order?
Q. How long will the closure be in place?
Please remain vigilant while out on your public lands. Fuel conditions remain very dry and new fire starts are possible. Help us thank firefighters, and protect your community from new, human-caused fires by following the public use restrictions that are still in place. There is a campfire restriction in place across the forest.
Q. How do I find daily updates or more about the BWCAW Wildfires?
About the Forest Service: The Forest Service has brought people and communities together to answer the call of conservation for more than 100 years. Grounded in world-class science and technology — and rooted in communities — the Forest Service connects people to nature and recreation opportunities. The agency manages 193 million acres of public land, supports the nation’s forest industry and energy needs, and operates the largest and most respected wildland fire and forestry research organizations in the world. By providing assistance to state and private landowners and working with tribes and other partners, the Forest Service also helps steward an additional 900 million forested acres within the U.S.
The USDA Forest Service is closing public access within the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness (BWCAW) located in the northwestern portion of the Gunflint Ranger District, due to the nearby wildfire FOR208 in Quetico Provincial Park, to protect public health and safety of visitors in the area.
Forest Order Number 09-09-07-26-07 temporarily closes this area effective 12:01 AM July 12, 2026. The area affected is listed in the updated Exhibit A List & Exhibit B Map of the closure order within the BWCAW due to active wildfires. Naps and more information will be posted here by mid-day Saturday, July 11: https://fs.usda.gov/r09/superior/alerts
The following lakes, associated campsites and portages are closed due to this emergency closure order due to wildfires:
• Ottertrack Lake
• Little Knife Lake
• Amoeber Lake
• Topaz Lake
• Cherry Lake
• Hanson Lake
• Ester Lake
• Rabbit Lake
• Clam Lake
• Ashdick Lake
• Swamp Lake
• Gijikiki Lake
• Rivalry Lake
• Lake of the Clouds
• Lunar Lake
Visitors are asked to stay away from this area. For visitors traveling on the Canadian side of these lakes, please note you can still access portages. Wilderness rangers will begin notifying visitors already in the closure area Sunday, July 12th
Frequently Asked Questions:
Q: How will visitors in the BWCAW be notified?
Forest Order Number 09-09-07-26-07 temporarily closes this area effective 12:01 AM July 12, 2026. The area affected is listed in the updated Exhibit A List & Exhibit B Map of the closure order within the BWCAW due to active wildfires. Naps and more information will be posted here by mid-day Saturday, July 11: https://fs.usda.gov/r09/superior/alerts
The following lakes, associated campsites and portages are closed due to this emergency closure order due to wildfires:
• Ottertrack Lake
• Little Knife Lake
• Amoeber Lake
• Topaz Lake
• Cherry Lake
• Hanson Lake
• Ester Lake
• Rabbit Lake
• Clam Lake
• Ashdick Lake
• Swamp Lake
• Gijikiki Lake
• Rivalry Lake
• Lake of the Clouds
• Lunar Lake
Visitors are asked to stay away from this area. For visitors traveling on the Canadian side of these lakes, please note you can still access portages. Wilderness rangers will begin notifying visitors already in the closure area Sunday, July 12th
Frequently Asked Questions:
Q: How will visitors in the BWCAW be notified?
A: Wilderness Rangers will be sweeping the areas for visitor notifications and support Sunday, July 12.
Q. Which recreation sites are affected by this Closure order?
A. The area within the boundary of the closures depicted on the Exhibit A list & Exhibit B map.
Q. How long will the closure be in place?
A. Public lands closures help to reduce interference with emergency crews and allow for fire suppression and burned area recovery. The Forest Closure Order update is effective July 12 and will remain in effect until the fire(s) are declared out, unless sooner rescinded. The Forest Service wants to express gratitude for the public's patience as we work to reopen these special places as quickly and as safely as possible.
Please remain vigilant while out on your public lands. Fuel conditions remain very dry and new fire starts are possible. Help us thank firefighters, and protect your community from new, human-caused fires by following the public use restrictions that are still in place. There is a campfire restriction in place across the forest.
Q. How do I find daily updates or more about the BWCAW Wildfires?
A. Go to Inciweb for this incident can be found at https://inciweb.wildfire.gov/ You will find information on other wildfires on this website as well.
About the Forest Service: The Forest Service has brought people and communities together to answer the call of conservation for more than 100 years. Grounded in world-class science and technology — and rooted in communities — the Forest Service connects people to nature and recreation opportunities. The agency manages 193 million acres of public land, supports the nation’s forest industry and energy needs, and operates the largest and most respected wildland fire and forestry research organizations in the world. By providing assistance to state and private landowners and working with tribes and other partners, the Forest Service also helps steward an additional 900 million forested acres within the U.S.
