Parts of Boundary Waters closed near border due to wildfire threats
Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness in Superior National Forest will close near the U.S.-Canada border due to continued wildfire threats.
The U.S. Forest Service announced Friday that the area would close starting Saturday for at least the next seven days. Fire managers have identified two fires in the area that have potential to spread to the border.
The closures are:
- Tick Pristine Management Area
- Sundial Pristine Management Area (Zones 1,2 and 5)
- #22 Mudro-Restricted Entry Point
- #23 Mudro Entry Point
- Crooked Lake travel zone
- Campsites North of Gun Lake
The closures will allow the Forest Service to locate and move visitors out of the area should the wildfires spread, according to the announcement. Quetico Provincial Park in Canada has already announced similar closures.
Wilderness rangers will begin locating visitors on Friday and moving them out of the closed areas. Officials will monitor the situation and determine when the area is safe for visitors again.
Firefighters are continuing to work to contain the Delta fire, which was first reported on July 9. It currently spans 65 acres.
The situation is made worse by abnormally dry drought conditions, with no indication of relief in the near future, according to the Forest Service.
Earlier this month, the forest closed multiple campsites, portages and lakes while working to contain four active wildfires in the area, including the Delta fire.
Open campfires are also not currently permitted in the forest, except in approved fire structures maintained by the forest.
