Inciweb: https://inciweb.wildfire.gov/incident-information/mnsuf-july-2026-superior-nf-wildfires

Closures & Fire Restrictions 

Superior National Forest has issued an updated Emergency Forest Closure order for portions of the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness (BWCAW) to protect the health and safety of visitors and firefighters due to an active wildfire in the Quetico Provincial Park. In addition, the forest has implemented Forest-wide fire  restrictions. Visitors are encouraged to continue monitoring official information sources, including the forest’s  Alerts page , Inciweb, Facebook and X, for the latest updates.  

Notice 

Today the Minnesota Incident Command Team (MNICS) took command of the following ten wildfires:  Creek, Chub, Camp 5/Duck, Coffin, Bug Creek, Ridge, Marion Creek, Beaver Tail, Echo 2, and the Nine Fire.  Please follow Inciweb and the MNICS Facebook page for more information on the fires they are managing.  

Wildfires 

Currently, the forest has 16 active wildfires, with four inside the BWCAW. Minnesota Department of Natural Resources is assisting with suppression activities within the forest. Quetico Provincial Park and Ontario also  have numerous fires. 

Firefighters have been making good progress on the fires; however, increased temperatures, winds, lower  humidity, and lack of recent precipitation is increasing fire behavior on some fires. Firefighters continue to  suppress the fires, work on perimeter/containment lines, and strategize continued suppression tactics. The  following are the fires Superior National Forest fire staff are managing:  

• 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 the fire is now 100% contained.  • Fools Gold started 7/8/2026, Size–2.1-acres, Location–West of Norway Road and south of Lake  Jeanette. Cause: Unknown. Status: Firefighters and aircraft are conducting direct suppression on the fire.  60% contained. 

• Rabbitt Fire started 7/10/26. Size–12 acres. Location–South of Ray in Koochiching State Forest.  Firefighters are suppressing the fire.  

• 614 started 7/9/2026. Size–7.3 acres. Location–Northwest of Ash Lake/East of Hwy 53. Approximately  50% contained. Firefighters have perimeter hose line around the fire and suppressing. 

• Sioux Fire started 7/9/2026. Size–59 acres. Location–North of the Echo Trail and east of Jeanette  Campground. Status: Active with wind-driven spotting. Firefighting resources are working on suppression. 

Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness Wildfires 

• Wolfpack Fire (BWCAW) started 7/9/2026. Size–61 acres. Location–Southeast of Wolfpack Lake.  Remote location. Suppression activities are being conducted.  

• Bear Trap Fire (BWCAW) started 7/7/2026, Size–85-acres. Location–off the Bear Trap River & N of  Sunday Lake. Caused by lightning. Status: Remote with difficult access. Aircraft are dropping water on  this fire.  

• Thumb Fire (BWCAW) started 7/7/2026, Size–500 acres. Location–remote & located between Thumb  and Contentment Lakes. Caused by lightning. Status Remote with difficult access. Aircraft is dropping  on this fire.  

• Section 3 Pond Fire (BWCAW) started 7/7/2026, Size– 2.3 acres. Location–on Section Pond, east of  Lac La Croix. Cause is under investigation. Status: This fire is 100% contained. Firefighters are  checking the fire daily.  

Earlier fires on the Superior National Forest also being suppressed–Long 2 Wildfire. This fire is currently 80%  contained. More information– https://inciweb.wildfire.gov/incident-information/mnsuf-long-2-fire 

Background 

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. 

National Weather Service Forecast 

Today–– Sunny and hot, with a high near 94. West wind around 10 mph, with gusts as high as 20 mph. A Red  Flag Warning is in effect from noon through Sunday and an Extreme Heat Warning and a Fire Weather Watch  are in effect through Tuesday. Tonight–Mostly clear, with a low around 71. Southwest wind 5 to 10 mph, with  gusts as high as 20 mph. Monday– Sunny and hot, with a high near 96. Breezy, with a southwest wind 5 to 15  

mph, with gusts as high as 25 mph. An Extreme Heat Watch and Fire Weather Watch is in effect from 11:00  am–9:00 pm.  

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. 

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