Evacuations

St Louis County has implemented the Ready-Set-Go Notification System. It is currently at SET for the Sioux Fire. Residents should remain aware of current evacuation information and monitor official county communication channels for updates.
https://sheriff-slcgis.hub.arcgis.com/pages/wildfire
https://www.stlouiscountymn.gov/residents/emergencies/planning-and-preparedness
Emergency Evacuation Tips

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 10 wildfires: Creek, Chub, Camp 5/Duck, Bug Creek, Ridge, Coffin, Marion Creek, Beaver Tail, Echo 2, and the Nine Fire. The MNICS information phone number is: 218-881-2091. Updates will be posted to Inciweb and the MNICS Facebook page.

Wildfires

Currently, the forest has 20 active wildfires, with five inside the BWCAW, and one new fire, the Dark Fire. As of this afternoon, the Dark Fire and the Bear Trap Fire have merged. Minnesota Department of Natural Resources is assisting with suppression activities within the forest. Quetico Provincial Park and Ontario also have numerous fires.

Some wildfires experienced increased growth this afternoon due to higher winds, low vegetation moisture, and low relative humidity. Smoke columns are visible from nearby communities.
Superior National Forest managed wildfire information

Non-Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness Wildfires

• Sioux Fire started 7/9/2026. Size–288 acres. Location–North of the Echo Trail and east of Jeanette Campground outside the BWCAW. Cause: Unknown. Status: Active with wind-driven spotting. Currently the fire is burning towards the BWCAW. The forest is currently removing vehicles from the Little Indian Sioux Entry Point (14) parking lot due to the wildfire’s direction of spread. Firefighting resources are working on suppression.
• Camp Fire started 7/7/2026, Size–1.6 acre. Location–8 miles N/NE of the Cloquet Line near Ely. Cause–Lighting. Status: 100% contained. This will be the final report for this fire.
• Fools Gold started 7/8/2026, Size–2.1-acres, Location–West of Norway Road and south of Lake Jeanette. Cause: Unknown. Status: 100% contained. This will be the final report for this fire.
• Rabbit Fire started 7/10/26. Size–12 acres. Cause: Unknown. 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 are continuing suppression efforts.  
• Beaver Tail Fire started 7/8/2026. Size–10 acre. Location–West of the Vermilion River. Blowdown and dead balsam. Aircraft and firefighters are  suppressing.

Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness Wildfires

• NEW FIRE-Dark Fire, Location–East of Dark Lake and south of Lac La Croix. Location–Reported at 20 acres and spotting. This fire has merged with the Bear Trap Fire (BWCAW). Location–Off the Bear Trap River & N of Sunday Lake. Total size of combined fires: 700 acres. Burning towards Crooked Lake. Very active fire activity. Aircraft are dropping water on these fires. This fire, which is now known as the Dark Fire/Bear Trap Fire.
• Wolfpack Fire (BWCAW) started 7/9/2026. Size–80 acres. Location–Southeast of Wolfpack Lake. Remote location with difficult access. Aircraft are conducting suppression.  
• Thumb Fire (BWCAW) started 7/7/2026, Size–600 acres. Location–remote & located between Thumb and Contentment Lakes. Caused by lightning. Status Remote with difficult access. Aircraft are dropping water 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. This will be the last report.

Earlier fires on the Superior National Forest also being suppressed–Long 2 Wildfire. This fire is currently 100% contained and controlled. This is the last update for this 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

Tonight–– Mostly clear. Low of 72. Southwest wind 5-10 mph, with gusts up to 20 mph. Red Flag Warning in effect until 9pm tonight. Tomorrow–Sunny and hot, with a high of 100. Breezy, with a west wind of 5-15 mph, gusts up to 25 mph. There is an Extreme Heat Warning in effect until July 14, and a Fire Weather Watch is in effect until Monday.

Air Operations

Aircraft are available and are supporting the fires. 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.