Update: Superior National Forest Restricts Campfire Use Forest-wide
Jul 11, 2026 01:10PM ● By Editor
Photo by Luke Porter on Unsplash
From the US Forest Service - July 11, 2026
From the US Forest Service - July 11, 2026
Due to continued dry conditions and wildfires, the Superior National Forest is issuing an Emergency Forest Order for forest wide campfire restrictions effective July 12, 2026, at 12:01 a.m. This Order restricts the ignition, building, maintaining, attending, or using a fire or campfire, including charcoal grills and barbeques, coal, and woodburning stoves to reduce the likelihood of a wildfire within the Superior National Forest boundary, which includes northern portions of Cook, Koochiching, Lake, and St. Louis Counties. This new Fire Restriction Order (09-09-00-26-09, effective July 12) increases the restricted area to include all land within the Forest Boundary. See maps below and additional information on the forest’s Alerts page https://www.fs.usda.gov/r09/superior/alerts
Forest wide campfire restrictions go into effect beginning Sunday morning (12:01) a.m., July 12, 2026, through October 1, 2026 or until conditions warrant a rescission:
• Gas or propane cook stoves are allowed throughout the forest and in the BWCAW.
• Stoves or grills fueled by charcoal, or any type of wood are not allowed.
“We continue to coordinate with the Minnesota DNR, Bois Forte and Grand Portage to avoid confusion across jurisdictions. We want the recreating public to be safe as they enjoy the Forest,” stated Drew Stroberg, Superior National Forest Supervisor (Acting).
The potential for wildfire is high across all ownerships in northern Minnesota currently. It is extremely important that people are careful with any sources of ignition such as smoking devices, dragging chains, and recreational vehicles.
For additional information regarding fire-related and/or forest closures and updates:
• Superior National Forest website https://www.fs.usda.gov/r09/superior/alerts
• National Fire incident reporting system -https://inciweb.wildfire.gov
• Minnesota Incident Command System website at https://mnics.org
Frequently Asked Questions:
Q: Why not plainly say that fires and campfires are banned or prohibited – why restricted?
A: A restriction is not an absolute. There are exceptions to the restrictions as noted in the Forest Order. The federal, state, counties, and tribes all have subtle differences and authorities to work through when processing this type of action. Example: The SNF has some unique circumstances such as resorts that are permitted on USFS land (i.e. Vets on the Lake).
Q: What is different between the MN DNR and Superior NF Fire Restrictions effective July 12?
A: Both the MN DNR and Superior NF burn restriction include northern Cook, Koochiching, Lake and St Louis Counties. The difference is on State and Private lands – the DNR is allowing fire within a fire ring. The Superior NF is not allowing fire within its boundary, including the BWCAW.
Q: Are campfires allowed on Recreation Residents or Resorts permitted by the Superior NF?
A: No, campfires are not allowed on Forest Service land. Recreation Residents and Resorts permit their land from the Forest Service.
Q: Are campfires allowed in the BWCAW?
A: No, campfires are not allowed in the BWCAW, that includes in a designated fire grate.
Q: Are campfires allowed in backcountry campsites on the Superior NF?
A: No, campfires are not allowed on federal land within the Superior NF boundary.
Q: Can I use my indoor woodburning stove?
A: Yes. The woodburning stoves noted in the Forest Order are temporary/ portable woodburning stoves used in a temporary structure or tent (indoors). The order does not pertain to permanent indoor woodburning stoves.
Q: I have land leased/permitted to me by Superior National Forest, am I restricted from having a campfire?
A: Yes, the order restricts all open flame on the Superior National Forest, only camp stoves that use propane or gas are allowed.
Q: Can I use tiki torches, bug candles, etc.?
A: Although these items are not considered “campfires,” technically, they are legal. However, given the extremely dry conditions Forest wide and currently active fires, it would be irresponsible to ignite these items. If a wildfire results from their use, a person could be federally charged and held responsible for the cost of the incident.
Forest wide campfire restrictions go into effect beginning Sunday morning (12:01) a.m., July 12, 2026, through October 1, 2026 or until conditions warrant a rescission:
• Gas or propane cook stoves are allowed throughout the forest and in the BWCAW.
• Stoves or grills fueled by charcoal, or any type of wood are not allowed.
“We continue to coordinate with the Minnesota DNR, Bois Forte and Grand Portage to avoid confusion across jurisdictions. We want the recreating public to be safe as they enjoy the Forest,” stated Drew Stroberg, Superior National Forest Supervisor (Acting).
The potential for wildfire is high across all ownerships in northern Minnesota currently. It is extremely important that people are careful with any sources of ignition such as smoking devices, dragging chains, and recreational vehicles.
For additional information regarding fire-related and/or forest closures and updates:
• Superior National Forest website https://www.fs.usda.gov/r09/superior/alerts
• National Fire incident reporting system -https://inciweb.wildfire.gov
• Minnesota Incident Command System website at https://mnics.org
Frequently Asked Questions:
Q: Why not plainly say that fires and campfires are banned or prohibited – why restricted?
A: A restriction is not an absolute. There are exceptions to the restrictions as noted in the Forest Order. The federal, state, counties, and tribes all have subtle differences and authorities to work through when processing this type of action. Example: The SNF has some unique circumstances such as resorts that are permitted on USFS land (i.e. Vets on the Lake).
Q: What is different between the MN DNR and Superior NF Fire Restrictions effective July 12?
A: Both the MN DNR and Superior NF burn restriction include northern Cook, Koochiching, Lake and St Louis Counties. The difference is on State and Private lands – the DNR is allowing fire within a fire ring. The Superior NF is not allowing fire within its boundary, including the BWCAW.
Q: Are campfires allowed on Recreation Residents or Resorts permitted by the Superior NF?
A: No, campfires are not allowed on Forest Service land. Recreation Residents and Resorts permit their land from the Forest Service.
Q: Are campfires allowed in the BWCAW?
A: No, campfires are not allowed in the BWCAW, that includes in a designated fire grate.
Q: Are campfires allowed in backcountry campsites on the Superior NF?
A: No, campfires are not allowed on federal land within the Superior NF boundary.
Q: Can I use my indoor woodburning stove?
A: Yes. The woodburning stoves noted in the Forest Order are temporary/ portable woodburning stoves used in a temporary structure or tent (indoors). The order does not pertain to permanent indoor woodburning stoves.
Q: I have land leased/permitted to me by Superior National Forest, am I restricted from having a campfire?
A: Yes, the order restricts all open flame on the Superior National Forest, only camp stoves that use propane or gas are allowed.
Q: Can I use tiki torches, bug candles, etc.?
A: Although these items are not considered “campfires,” technically, they are legal. However, given the extremely dry conditions Forest wide and currently active fires, it would be irresponsible to ignite these items. If a wildfire results from their use, a person could be federally charged and held responsible for the cost of the incident.
