Boundary Waters entry points reopen

The U.S. Forest Service reopened additional Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness entry points for overnight use on Wednesday, August 5, as wildfire conditions eased across northern Minnesota. The latest reopening phase covers more access points in the Kawishiwi and LaCroix ranger districts, according to Superior National Forest. Gov. Tim Walz said the same day that Minnesota does not need to extend its peacetime emergency declaration as fire activity has calmed. State and federal officials said some closures, permit cancellations and fire restrictions still remain in place. ### Which Boundary Waters entry points reopened this week? The August 1 Forest Service notice said Phase 5 of the reopening plan took effect on Wednesday, August 5, restoring additional overnight entry points on the western portion of the forest. The reopened areas include entry points in the Trout Lake Unit, locations off the Fernberg Road, and other sites in the Kawishiwi and LaCroix districts listed in the agency’s updated closure exhibits. (fs.usda.gov) FOX 9 reported that the reopened overnight-use entry points include Slim Lake, Moose Lake with travel limits beyond Lewis Narrows and Upper Basswood Falls, Wood Lake, Snowbank Lake, North Kawishiwi River, Lake One, Farm Lake, South Kawishiwi River, Little Gabbro Lake, Trout Lake, and Crab Lake and Cummings Lake. Gunflint and Tofte district access was largely reopened earlier, with some exceptions. ### Why are some areas still closed if conditions are improving? (fs.usda.gov) The Forest Service said other parts of the wilderness remain affected by suppression work and continued wildfire activity tied to the Bear Trap, Sioux and Thumb fires. Permit reservations for entry points not listed in the latest reopening exhibits are canceled through August 10, and four entry points — Blandin Trail, Little Indian Sioux River North, Sioux-Hustler Trail and Stuart River — are canceled through September 30, the end of the quota permit season. (fox9.com) The Superior National Forest alert page said the broader emergency closure followed wildfires sparked by a July 7 lightning storm. The forest closed all access under an emergency order that took effect July 11, and the order is set to remain in place until October 1 unless rescinded sooner. ### What did Walz and state officials say about the emergency? Walz said on August 5 that he did not see a need to call a special legislative session to extend the peacetime emergency declaration tied to the fires. (fs.usda.gov) The declaration is scheduled to expire on Tuesday, August 11, and Walz said the Legislature could instead work on any relief package for affected communities ahead of the regular session that begins in January. (fs.usda.gov) CBS Minnesota reported that Public Safety Commissioner Bob Jacobson said firefighting operations were continuing but that the state’s focus had also shifted toward recovery. Officials said the fires had burned about 65,000 acres in Minnesota and were no longer spreading, though hot spots and residual heat remained in the Superior National Forest. ### What should canoe campers and permit holders check before leaving? (mprnews.org) The Forest Service said visitors entering newly reopened areas should be self-sufficient, share a travel plan, monitor weather and fire conditions, and carry multiple means of communication. The agency also said reopened access does not mean all risks have ended in a remote wilderness where suppression work and wildfire activity can still affect routes and campsites. (cbsnews.com) FOX 9 reported that campfires are not currently allowed at Boundary Waters campsites in the reopened areas. The Forest Service directs visitors to the Superior National Forest alerts page and its updated closure map and entry-point exhibits for the latest access rules before travel. ### What happens next for the remaining closures? August 10 is the next key date for many permit cancellations and several trail-related closures in the reopened districts. (fs.usda.gov) September 30 is the cutoff for the four entry points the Forest Service said will remain canceled for the rest of the 2026 quota permit season, while the underlying emergency closure order currently runs to October 1 unless officials lift it earlier. (fox9.com)