A helicopter uses a bucket for fire suppression. MNICS photo

From the US Forest Service - July 15, 2026

Superior National Forest | Evacuation Status

Lake County Emergency Management has initiated the “GO” for Hwy 16/Fernberg Corridor from the Garden Lake Bridge to the end of the Fernberg at Lake One. Evacuate immediately. A public shelter has been established at the Babbitt Municipal Building at 71 S Drive, Babbitt. https://experience.arcgis.com/experience/10688a627618414fa96159e8f70cba3c/page/Fire-Evacuation

St Louis County has initiated the “GO” for portions of the Echo Trail from Big Lake up to the 200 Road near the Sioux Fire (Superior NF management). Other areas are under “SET” evacuation notice for Marian Creek, Ridge, Beaver Tail, Coffin and Echo 2 Fires (MNICS management). https://sheriff-slcgis.hub.arcgis.com/pages/wildfire

Cook County has implemented Ready-Set-Go for Ontario’s FOR028 wildfire (now the Little Knife Fire) for a northern portion of the Gunflint Trail area. The fire has progressed onto U.S. land to the east to Monument Portage between Swamp Lake and Ottertrack Lake.  The Forest Service will continue to monitor progression as conditions allow.

https://cookcountymn.maps.arcgis.com/apps/webappviewer/index.html?id=2f0cb0740663455e9fe5c47b7fdb2379

Closures & Fire Restrictions

Superior National Forest has issued an Expanded BWCAW Closure Order to protect public and firefighter health and safety. The BWCAW permit issuance is being evaluated daily with notifications to permittees 4-days prior to permit entry date. Forest-wide fire restrictions are also in effect.

Key Message

Yesterday, significant fire growth over the Wilderness fire occurred last night with a front moving through causing additional fire starts. Today will be another dynamic fire day. Expect significant fire growth and fire burning deep into the ground due to the ongoing heat and continued drying out of vegetation. Poor air quality with heavy smoke will result in poor visibility for aircraft. Firefighter and public safety will be the highest priorities as crews work under hot, dry, and smoky conditions. Firefighters will use a full suppression strategy where conditions allow, adapting tactics as needed to maintain a safe and effective response. The Forest has not experienced these widespread, unpresented extreme fire conditions in over 20 years. 

Wildfires

Currently, the forest has 15 active wildfires, with 4 active fires inside the BWCAW—please note, some fires have merged. Canada is experiencing similar fire activity. Multiple fires have crossed the International Border from Canada–the Bear Trap Fire, Thumb Fire, and Little Knife. The forest is coordinating with Canadian fire officials.

The Minnesota Incident Command Team (MNICS) is managing 11 of the wildfires: Creek, Chub, Camp 5/Duck, Bug Creek, Ridge, Coffin, Marion Creek, Beaver Tail, Echo 2, and the Nine Fire. The Minnesota Department of Natural Resources is assisting with suppression activities within the forest. Quetico Provincial Park and Ontario also have numerous fires. Information on the Ontario fires: https://www.lioapplications.lrc.gov.on.ca/ForestFireInformationMap/index.html?viewer=FFIM.FFIM/

Non-Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness Wildfires

• NEW- Crescent Fire 7/15/26. Size- 1 acre. Location- On an island in Crescent Lake, Tofte
• Birch Island started 7/13/2026. Size–.1 acres. Location–Snowbank Lake. Cause: Under Investigation.
• Camp Fire started 7/7/2026. Size–2,886 acres. Location–5 miles north of Winton. Cause: Lightning. Status: Extreme fire behavior and large growth yesterday and some overnight. Evacuations in effect from this fire. Firefighters are conducting structure protection and suppression.
• Wolf Pack & Sioux Fire (merged now the Sioux Fire)- 7/9/2026. Size–approximately 6,922 acres. Location–North of the Echo Trail and east of Jeanette Campground outside the BWCAW. Cause: Lightning. Status: Active with wind-driven spotting. Firefighters are utilizing structure protection.
• Buck Fire started 7/13/2026. Size–.25 acre. Location–East of Trout Lake. Cause: Under Investigation.
• Echo 2 Fire started 7/8/2026. Size – 16.4 acres. Location – off the Echo Rapids Road, north of Echo Lake. Moderate fire activity yesterday. The fire broke its containment lines once yesterday afternoon but crews handled the situation quickly. Today, they will work toward containment.
• Beaver Tail started 7/9/2026. Size – 12 acres. Location – West of the Vermilion River. Moderate fire activity yesterday. Crews mopped up yesterday, meaning they extinguished and removed any remaining burning material near the fire’s control line to prevent rekindling or escape. Today, they will continue improving existing control lines.
• Chub Fire started 7/9/2026. Size – 317.7 acres. Location – North of Chub Lake, southwest of Crane Lake. The fire was less active yesterday and crews opened up a road on the north end of the fire and added more dozer line, which removes vegetation and creates a fuel break that stops or slows the spread of wildfire. Today, crews will continue the dozer line to gain access to the fire edge. They will also secure and improve estimated containment lines. Engines will help with mop up and securing the established line.
• Ridge Fire started 7/9/2026. Size –  8 acres. Location – East of the Vermilion River. Minimal fire behavior yesterday. Crews will continue to reinforce and improve containment and control lines around the fire and work on mop up.
• Creek Fire started 7/9/2026. Size – 3.3 acres. Location – Northwest of Chub Lake. Minimal fire activity yesterday. Yesterday, crews secured and improved estimated containment lines and will continue that work today along with mop up.
• Marion Creek started 7/9/2026. Size – 9.6 acres. Location – West of the Vermilion River. No significant fire activity yesterday. Crews yesterday built a dozer line around the fire. Today, they will establish access and control lines and continue to improve existing control lines.
• Nine Fire started 7/9/2026. Size – 5.4 acres. Location – South of Echo Lake. Minimal fire activity yesterday. Crews yesterday continued to secure and improve established containment lines and mopped up. They will continue that work today.
• Camp 5/Duck Fire started 7/9/2026. Size – 4 acres. Location – North of Elephant Lake. Minimal to no fire activity was detected. Aircraft will monitor the area for heat and smoke daily.
• Bug Creek Fire started 7/9/2026. Size – 0.1 acre. Location – South of Chub Lake. Little to no fire activity was detected.  Aircraft will monitor the area for heat and smoke daily.
• Coffin Fire started 7/9/2026. Size – 0.1 acre. Location – Northwest of Echo Lake. Aircraft will continue to monitor the area daily for heat and smoke.

Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness Wildfires

• NEW- Little Knife 7/15/2026. Size- 6,000 acres (US side). Location- heat detection mapping shows growth as far south as Ogishkemuncie Lake. This incident within the U.S. has been named Little Knife Fire. The fire has burned a total of 30,000 acres. 
• Bear Trap Fire, started 7/7/2026. Total size of combined Bear Trap and Dark fires: Approximately 13,500 acres. Location–South of Lac La Croix, 20 miles N of Ely. Status–Extreme fire behavior with crowning, torching and spotting. Fire crossed the international border and entered Canada.
• Thumb Fire (BWCAW) started 7/7/2026. Size–Approximately 14,500 acres. Location–remote & located 6 miles S of Gakijiwanong Anishnaabe Nation Canada. Cause: Lightning. Status Remote with difficult access. Active fire behavior. This fire has crossed the Canadian Border. Aircraft continue to suppress the fire on the US side.

Background
On the evening of July 6, 2026, a storm system moved through the area with 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– Widespread dense smoke expected. Cloudy conditions and warm temperatures, with highs in the 80’s. West wind 5 to 10 mph, with gusts as 13 mph. Tonight–Widespread smoke with some moderating conditions. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 66. Northwest wind around 5 mph, becoming calm in the evening. Tomorrow– Widespread smoke again. Partly sunny, with a high near 78. Calm wind, becoming north around 5 mph in the morning. Slight chances of minimal rain (.05”). There is a Hazardous Weather Outlook and Air Quality Alert. An Air Quality Alert has been issued through Thursday due to the wildfire smoke. Anticipate heavy smoke “Very Unhealthy” settling during the evening hours over the communities of Ely and east across the forest.

Air Operations

Aircraft are supporting the fires but may be limited today due to smoke and poor visibility. 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.