Superior NF Extends BWCAW permit cancellations to July 24
Jul 18, 2026 05:47PM ● By Editor
From Superior National Forest - July 18, 2026
Superior National Forest is extending Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness (BWCAW) permit cancellations to Friday, July 24th, as wildfires continue to threaten the region. This decision gives visitors, outfitters and local businesses more reliable planning time while ensuring decisions continue to prioritize public health and safety.
The wilderness remains closed under the emergency order issued July 14. While the area received between a half-inch and one inch of rain Friday morning, conditions are already dry, and hot, dry weather is expected to return this weekend and beyond. Crews anticipate continued fire growth as fuels dry out and winds increase.
“Wildfire smoke and extreme fire behavior create serious risks for anyone traveling in the Boundary Waters,” said Drew Stroberg, Acting Forest Supervisor, Superior National Forest. “Even short term exposure to heavy smoke can trigger breathing problems, especially for children, older adults, and people with heart or lung conditions. In remote wilderness terrain, unpredictable fire activity makes evacuations dangerous and rescue operations very challenging—especially during severe drought and weather conditions.”
The Superior NF Leadership and Incident Command Teams will continue to review conditions every day and will update the status as changes are warranted. Community members, visitors, and permit holders are encouraged to check for updates regularly.
Where to find current information:
• BWCAW closures and permit updates: https://www.fs.usda.gov/r09/superior/alerts
• Daily wildfire updates: https://inciweb.wildfire.gov/incident-information/mnsuf-july-2026-superior-nf-wildfires
• County evacuation information: Minnesota Incident Command: https://mnics.org/wpress/category/incidents/
• Or, you can find updates on Facebook at: https://www.facebook.com/SuperiorNF and https://www.facebook.com/mnics.org
We appreciate the public’s patience and understanding as firefighters work in challenging conditions to protect communities, natural resources, and the health and safety of everyone who loves the Boundary Waters.
Q. How long will the closure be in place?
A. The closure will remain in effect until 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: www.inciweb.wildfire.gov. Zoom into Minnesota 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, 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 the 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), and a Complex Incident Management Team were ordered to help support forest fire 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 Forest Service has brought people and communities together to answer the call of conservation for more than 100 years. Grounded in world-class science and technology — and rooted in communities — the Forest Service connects people to nature and recreation opportunities. The agency manages 193 million acres of public land, supports the nation’s forest industry and energy needs, and operates the largest and most respected wildland fire and forestry research organizations in the world. By providing assistance to state and private landowners and working with tribes and other partners, the Forest Service also helps steward an additional 900 million forested acres within the U.S.
Superior National Forest is extending Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness (BWCAW) permit cancellations to Friday, July 24th, as wildfires continue to threaten the region. This decision gives visitors, outfitters and local businesses more reliable planning time while ensuring decisions continue to prioritize public health and safety.
The wilderness remains closed under the emergency order issued July 14. While the area received between a half-inch and one inch of rain Friday morning, conditions are already dry, and hot, dry weather is expected to return this weekend and beyond. Crews anticipate continued fire growth as fuels dry out and winds increase.
“Wildfire smoke and extreme fire behavior create serious risks for anyone traveling in the Boundary Waters,” said Drew Stroberg, Acting Forest Supervisor, Superior National Forest. “Even short term exposure to heavy smoke can trigger breathing problems, especially for children, older adults, and people with heart or lung conditions. In remote wilderness terrain, unpredictable fire activity makes evacuations dangerous and rescue operations very challenging—especially during severe drought and weather conditions.”
The Superior NF Leadership and Incident Command Teams will continue to review conditions every day and will update the status as changes are warranted. Community members, visitors, and permit holders are encouraged to check for updates regularly.
Where to find current information:
• BWCAW closures and permit updates: https://www.fs.usda.gov/r09/superior/alerts
• Daily wildfire updates: https://inciweb.wildfire.gov/incident-information/mnsuf-july-2026-superior-nf-wildfires
• County evacuation information: Minnesota Incident Command: https://mnics.org/wpress/category/incidents/
• Or, you can find updates on Facebook at: https://www.facebook.com/SuperiorNF and https://www.facebook.com/mnics.org
We appreciate the public’s patience and understanding as firefighters work in challenging conditions to protect communities, natural resources, and the health and safety of everyone who loves the Boundary Waters.
Q. How long will the closure be in place?
A. The closure will remain in effect until 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: www.inciweb.wildfire.gov. Zoom into Minnesota 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, 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 the 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), and a Complex Incident Management Team were ordered to help support forest fire 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 Forest Service has brought people and communities together to answer the call of conservation for more than 100 years. Grounded in world-class science and technology — and rooted in communities — the Forest Service connects people to nature and recreation opportunities. The agency manages 193 million acres of public land, supports the nation’s forest industry and energy needs, and operates the largest and most respected wildland fire and forestry research organizations in the world. By providing assistance to state and private landowners and working with tribes and other partners, the Forest Service also helps steward an additional 900 million forested acres within the U.S.
