Overall combined acreage of the July Lightning Incident is 64,137 acres in the United States and an additional 8,443 acres in Canada. Estimated acreage of the Little Knife Fire is 4,958 acres. There is a total of 1,148 personnel on the July Lightning Incident and a total of 85 personnel on the Little Knife Fire. Containment estimates continue to increase based on current fire behavior, fuels, weather and utilizing natural barriers like lakes and waterways for containment perimeters. Containment is a dynamic figure that can rise and fall based on fire activity. The public can support firefighters and public safety by adhering to all evacuations, closures, and fire restrictions; by refraining from flying drones, which endanger firefighting aircraft; and by keeping boats off the water in areas where water-gathering aircraft are operating.

Ongoing assessments, mapping adjustments, and field observations continue to refine the status of each fire within this incident. Updates will reflect the most accurate information available as conditions evolve.

An interactive map is available for residents and property owners to determine evacuation levels for their property. Residents and property owners can search this map by address to determine exact locations and evacuation levels. Click on the county name below for county-specific information.

St. Louis County: No changes to evacuation levels since Wednesday, July 22. “Ready” and “Set” zones west of the Echo Trail and the Crane Lake area have been completely lifted. Please visit the St. Louis County Emergency Management website for more information. County emergency managers continue to consider which evacuations can safely be downgraded in consultation with the incident management team.

Superior National Forest:   Forest Officials announced yesterday July 24, that a Proposed Phase 2 plan - could be implemented this next week barring no significant wildfire activity over this weekend.  The proposed Phase 2 Plan would open select entry points on the eastern side of the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness (BWCAW) to overnight use.  The Forest announced Phase 1 earlier this week that select BWCAW entry points will open to the public for ‘Day Use’ on Monday, July 27, on the Gunflint and Tofte Districts (Eastern side of the forest), and BWCAW Overnight’ permits were cancelled through July 29, 2026. Daily, the Forest Service continues to evaluate the affected BWCAW quota permit entry point areas in an effort to re-open select areas of the BWCAW (as fire activity, weather and resources allows). A BWCAW Closure Order is in place to protect public and firefighter health and safety.

Superior National Forest Forest-wide Fire Restrictions are in effect.

Minnesota DNR fire restrictions are in effect.

Last night’s storm brought measurable rainfall across the fire area, with 1 to 1.5 inches recorded over the northwestern portion of the perimeter and 0.42 inches observed near Ely. The showers will moderate fire behavior in the short term, but above normal temperatures and sunny skies today will dry fuels and support surface fire activity by the afternoon.

The showers and storms from last night have moved east, giving way to mostly sunny skies and temperatures warming into the mid-upper 80s today. Winds become northwesterly midday with gusts up to 20 mph. Sunday afternoon brings our next significant chance for showers and storms, some of which could be severe if atmospheric conditions align. Sunday also looks to be the hottest day before a slight reprieve by Monday onward. The low-end chance for showers and storms will remain in the forecast as we sit in an unsettled flow pattern for much of next week.

The Chub Fire is the most active fire in this area. Crews are identified to assist with initial attack for any new fires that are detected.

On the evening of July 6, a dry thunderstorm moved across northeastern Minnesota and southern Canada resulting in more than 1,000 lightning strikes, causing dozens of fire starts. As unprecedented dry and warm conditions followed in the days after, fires were detected across Cook, Lake and St. Louis counties. Where fires were accessible by ground, firefighters were able to work to keep some of the fire perimeters small in size, however due to the number of fires, locations and number of firefighters and equipment, some of the fires continued to smolder and grow in the following days. Local fire managers ordered many additional resources including engines, hand crews, aviation resources and two incident management teams to support the firefighting efforts. While some of the fires were contained, several have continued to grow due to record breaking high temperatures and low humidity. Additional firefighters, equipment and support staff continue to be ordered as needed.