Forest Service lifts campfire ban in Superior Nat'l Forest, BWCAW

ELY — U.S. Forest Service officials have lifted all campfire restrictions across the entire Superior National Forest, including the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness.

The restrictions were lifted Monday, Aug. 24, due to cooler weather and lower risk of wildfires.

The Forest Service previously eased fire restrictions in late July, allowing fires in rings in designated campgrounds.

The agency had banned all burning in the forest beginning July 11 and 12.

Several areas throughout the Wilderness remain closed to the public due to ongoing wildfire activity.

Firefighters have been battling numerous wildfires in the Superior National Forest since early July.

As of Monday, the Camp Fire northeast of Ely is 97% contained, the Sioux Fire along the Echo Trail is 76% contained, the Bear Trap Fire in the BWCA is 55% contained and the Thumb Fire, also in the BWCA, is 55% contained.

Beginning Tuesday, two more BWCA entry points along the Echo Trail will reopen: No. 9 at Little Indian Sioux River South and No. 77 at S Hegman Lake.

Up-to-date information on the Superior National Forest wildfires can be found at InciWeb.