Superior NF Issues Wildfire Emergency Closure for Affected Recreation Sites
Jul 15, 2026 04:54PM ● By Editor
From Superior National Forest - July 15, 2026
Superior National Forest is temporarily closing public access to the Trails End Campground due to wildfire activity in the area beginning July 15 at 12:01 a.m. This decision comes after a surge of wildfires across the forest and unusually hot, dry and windy weather is causing fires to spread fast and unpredictably.
This closure is about keeping people safe. Wildfires do not just threaten trees and campsites—they create dangerous smoke, unstable conditions, and rapidly shifting fire behavior that can trap visitors with little warning. Even healthy adults can experience breathing problems when smoke levels rise, and people with heart or lung conditions can be especially vulnerable. In a wilderness as large and remote as the Boundary Waters, emergency response is challenging even on a normal day; during potential widespread wildfires, those risks increase significantly.
For maps and more information on the emergency order, visit: https://fs.usda.gov/r09/superior/alerts
Frequently Asked Questions
Q. How long will the closure be in place?
A. The closure will remain in effect until the fires are contained, and the risk to the public has decreased. We know how important the Boundary Waters is to local communities and the more than 150,000 people who visit each year, and we appreciate your patience as we work to restore safe conditions.
Q. What can we do to help firefighters?
A. The best way to help is to follow this closure order. Staying out of the Boundary Waters allows emergency responders to focus fully on fire suppression. Fuel conditions remain very dry, and new fire starts are possible. You can also help by following fire restrictions in your area; keeping human-caused fires from igniting protects your community and supports firefighter efforts.
Firefighters are being taken care of, donations to the wildland firefighters fund or local fire departments supporting the efforts.
Q. How do I find daily updates or more about the current fires?
A. Visit InciWeb, the official National Fire Incident System: https://inciweb.wildfire.gov/ Zoom into your area and click the flame icon for more information.
Q. Can I fly a recreational drone over the wildfires to take photos?
A. No. Unauthorized drones threaten firefighter safety and immediately halt aerial firefighting operations. If a drone is detected, aircraft must stop flying until crews can confirm it’s safe. All unauthorized drone flights over wildfire areas will be reported to the FAA and law enforcement. Drones are also prohibited from launching, landing or being controlled within designated wilderness areas – and may not be allowed in other areas of the national forest.
Remember, if you fly, we can’t.
Q. Is the Forest Service trying to put these fires out?
A. Yes. We are using full suppression tactics. Many fires are difficult to reach safely, and current weather—hot temperatures, strong winds, and low humidity—makes fire behavior more intense. Dry vegetation, including trees affected by spruce budworm, is fueling faster fire spread.
Q. What approach is the Forest Service using with this wildfire?
A. The Forest Service is using a full suppression approach. By Forest Service policy, every fire receives a strategic, risk-based response appropriate for the circumstances and associated threats and opportunities. Each strategy uses the full spectrum of management actions that consider fire and fuel conditions, weather, values at risk and resource availability.
Fire danger is very high from Duluth through Arrowhead to the North Shore due to drought conditions, warm weather and high winds. Fire danger is likely to remain high through the end of July. In addition to weather conditions, this area includes high fuel loads, due to spruce budworm affected trees – both standing and laying down that can increase fire behavior.
Because of these factors, a Minnesota Incident Command MNICS Type 3 team and a National Incident Management Organization (NIMO) was ordered to help support forest suppression operations. This is not normal summer weather conditions for the area, and the Forest Service is responding in the best way possible.
Q. How is the current air quality situation affecting wildfire operations?
A: Air quality is changing daily based on wind direction, carrying smoke from fires on the Superior National Forest and in Ontario, Canada. For current air quality, visit AirNow.gov or the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency. In periods of heavy smoke, aircraft may not be able to operate safely, affecting suppression efforts.
About the Forest Service: The USDA Forest Service has for more than 100 years brought people and communities together to answer the call of conservation. Grounded in world-class science and technology– and rooted in communities–the Forest Service connects people to nature and to each other. The Forest Service cares for shared natural resources in ways that promote lasting economic, ecological, and social vitality. The agency manages 193 million acres of public land, provides assistance to state and private landowners, maintains the largest wildland fire and forestry research organizations in the world. The Forest Service also has either a direct or indirect role in stewardship of about 900 million forested acres within the U.S., of which over 130 million acres are urban forests where most Americans live. This closure is about keeping people safe. Wildfires do not just threaten trees and campsites—they create dangerous smoke, unstable conditions, and rapidly shifting fire behavior that can trap visitors with little warning. Even healthy adults can experience breathing problems when smoke levels rise, and people with heart or lung conditions can be especially vulnerable. In a wilderness as large and remote as the Boundary Waters, emergency response is challenging even on a normal day; during potential widespread wildfires, those risks increase significantly.
For maps and more information on the emergency order, visit: https://fs.usda.gov/r09/superior/alerts
Frequently Asked Questions
Q. How long will the closure be in place?
A. The closure will remain in effect until the fires are contained, and the risk to the public has decreased. We know how important the Boundary Waters is to local communities and the more than 150,000 people who visit each year, and we appreciate your patience as we work to restore safe conditions.
Q. What can we do to help firefighters?
A. The best way to help is to follow this closure order. Staying out of the Boundary Waters allows emergency responders to focus fully on fire suppression. Fuel conditions remain very dry, and new fire starts are possible. You can also help by following fire restrictions in your area; keeping human-caused fires from igniting protects your community and supports firefighter efforts.
Firefighters are being taken care of, donations to the wildland firefighters fund or local fire departments supporting the efforts.
Q. How do I find daily updates or more about the current fires?
A. Visit InciWeb, the official National Fire Incident System: https://inciweb.wildfire.gov/ Zoom into your area and click the flame icon for more information.
Q. Can I fly a recreational drone over the wildfires to take photos?
A. No. Unauthorized drones threaten firefighter safety and immediately halt aerial firefighting operations. If a drone is detected, aircraft must stop flying until crews can confirm it’s safe. All unauthorized drone flights over wildfire areas will be reported to the FAA and law enforcement. Drones are also prohibited from launching, landing or being controlled within designated wilderness areas – and may not be allowed in other areas of the national forest.
Remember, if you fly, we can’t.
Q. Is the Forest Service trying to put these fires out?
A. Yes. We are using full suppression tactics. Many fires are difficult to reach safely, and current weather—hot temperatures, strong winds, and low humidity—makes fire behavior more intense. Dry vegetation, including trees affected by spruce budworm, is fueling faster fire spread.
Q. What approach is the Forest Service using with this wildfire?
A. The Forest Service is using a full suppression approach. By Forest Service policy, every fire receives a strategic, risk-based response appropriate for the circumstances and associated threats and opportunities. Each strategy uses the full spectrum of management actions that consider fire and fuel conditions, weather, values at risk and resource availability.
Fire danger is very high from Duluth through Arrowhead to the North Shore due to drought conditions, warm weather and high winds. Fire danger is likely to remain high through the end of July. In addition to weather conditions, this area includes high fuel loads, due to spruce budworm affected trees – both standing and laying down that can increase fire behavior.
Because of these factors, a Minnesota Incident Command MNICS Type 3 team and a National Incident Management Organization (NIMO) was ordered to help support forest suppression operations. This is not normal summer weather conditions for the area, and the Forest Service is responding in the best way possible.
Q. How is the current air quality situation affecting wildfire operations?
A: Air quality is changing daily based on wind direction, carrying smoke from fires on the Superior National Forest and in Ontario, Canada. For current air quality, visit AirNow.gov or the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency. In periods of heavy smoke, aircraft may not be able to operate safely, affecting suppression efforts.
