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

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/SuperiorNF & https://www.facebook.com/mnics.org

Fire Information: 218-881-2091 (8:00 am–8:00 pm), [email protected]

BWCAW Closures/Permittees: 218-235-4400 or 218-235-3113

Media Inquiries: 231-878-0998

Evacuations: Please contact county or local law enforcement officials for information on evacuations.  

Superior National Forest | Evacuation Status

Lake County: Initiated the “GO” for Hwy 16/Fernberg Corridor from the Garden Lake Bridge to the end of the Fernberg at Lake One due to the Camp Fire. Evacuate immediately. A public shelter has been established at the Babbitt Municipal Building at 71 S Drive, Babbitt. 

St. Louis County: Initiated “GO” for portions of the Echo Trail from Big Lake up to the 200 Road near the Sioux Fire. Other areas are under “SET” evacuation notice for Marian Creek, Ridge, Beaver Tail, Coffin and Echo 2 Fires 

Cook County: Remains at “SET” status at the end of the Gunflint Trail due to the Little Knife Fire. The Midtrail area of the Gunflint Trail west of Hungry Jack Lake Rd. and the northern parts of the townships of Schroeder, Tofte, and Lutsen have moved into "READY" status.  

Additional “GO” evacuation status will display across the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness (BWCAW) in St. Louis, Lake, and Cook Counties to accurately reflect the BWCAW Closure.

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 Messages

Yesterday, fire growth was moderated slightly by the cloud cover, lighter winds and increase in humidity. The dense smoke did help moderate fire behavior; however, it did not allow aircraft to fully engage in fire operations. Today will be another active fire day as the vegetation continues to dry and carry fire intensely. Fire crews will take advantage of the more moderate conditions coupled with chances of rain and will reengage with full suppression efforts and adjust tactics to maintain a safe and effective response. Smoke will result in poor visibility, but air will continue to look for brief opportunities to continue suppression efforts and gather information on fire progression. 

Wildfires

Currently, the forest has 15 active wildfires, with 3 active fires inside the BWCAW. Some fires have merged or been moved into patrol status. Due to dense smoke, aircraft have been challenged with conducting air operations and reconnaissance missions for updated acres and areas of fire progression.  

Non-Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness wildfires

• Camp Fire started 7/7/2026. Size–2,886 acres. Location–5 miles north of Winton. Cause: Lightning. Status: Extreme fire behavior and some growth yesterday and overnight. Evacuations in effect from this fire. Firefighters are conducting structure protection and suppression. 

• Sioux Fire started 7/9/2026. Size–approximately 7,368 acres. Location–North of the Echo Trail and east of Jeanette Campground. Portions of the fire are burning in BWCAW. Extreme fire behavior and some growth yesterday and overnight. Firefighters are utilizing structure protection. Cause: Lightning.

• Crescent Fire started 7/14/26. Size- 1 acre. Location- Island in Crescent Lake, Tofte. Human-caused.  

• Birch Island, Buck Fires, and South Shore Drive are in patrol status.  

Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness wildfires

• Little Knife started 7/15/2026. Size- 6,000 acres (US side). Location- heat detection mapping showed 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 started 7/7/2026. Size–14,129 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. 

Minnesota Incident Command System managed wildfires

• 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. Firefighters will continue to improve containment lines and search for and extinguish any found heat.

• Chub Fire started 7/9/2026. Size – 318.8 acres. Location – North of Chub Lake, southwest of Crane Lake. The fire was less active yesterday and crews utilized a dozer to establish control and contingency lines.  Today firefighters will continue to improve dozer lines and handlines around the fire’s perimeter. 

• Beaver Tail started 7/9/2026. Size – 12 acres. Location – West of the Vermilion River. Low to moderate fire activity yesterday. A control line has been established along the entire perimeter of the fire.  Crews will search for and extinguish any found heat.

• 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 cool any hot spots found. 

• Creek Fire started 7/9/2026. Size – 3.3 acres. Location – Northwest of Chub Lake. Minimal fire activity yesterday. Firefighters continue to strengthen and improve control lines with crews and equipment. 

• Marion Creek started 7/9/2026. Size – 9.6 acres. Location – West of the Vermilion River. No significant fire activity yesterday. Crews established dozer line around the fire. Today, firefighters will work to improve the control lines and install hose lines. 

• Nine Fire started 7/9/2026. Size – 5.4 acres. Location – South of Echo Lake. Minimal fire activity yesterday. Firefighters continue to mop up and to search for an extinguish any found heat. 

• Camp 5/Duck Fire started 7/9/2026. Size – 4 acres. Location – North of Elephant Lake. Minimal to no fire activity was detected. A dozer will work to improve control lines around the Camp 5 Fire today.  

• Bug Creek & Coffin Fires started 7/9/2026. Size – 0.2 acre. Aircraft and firefighters continue to verify the fires remain secure by checking for smoke and remaining heat. 

Canadian managed wildfires

• Canada is experiencing similar fire activity. Multiple fires have crossed the International Border. The forest is coordinating with Canadian fire officials. Ontario Wildfire Information.

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– A 30% chance of showers this afternoon. Widespread smoke is expected again. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 80. Calm winds becoming east around 5 mph in the afternoon. Tonight- A 50% chance of showers and thunderstorms, mainly after 3am. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 60 with light winds. Tomorrow– Showers and possibly storms. High near 85. East wind 5 to 10 mph becoming south in the afternoon. Chance of precipitation is 80%. An Air Quality Alert has been issued through Friday due to the wildfire smoke. 

Safety Messages

Flying drones or other aircraft over the fire is prohibited. If non-authorized aircraft are detected near the fire, any air operations supporting the fire will stop. Drones are illegal in federally designated wilderness areas and compromise the safety of firefighters and hinder fire operations. Recreational boaters and property owners on waterways where aircraft are water-gathering are urged to remain on the shoreline. Watercraft idling in wide bays will force emergency aircraft to abort their mission.