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Superior Nat'l Forest reopens more wildfire-impacted sites near BWCAW

KAXE
Published September 3, 2026 at 3:26 PM CDT
A "Chi Miigwetch Firefighters Great Thanks To You" sign along the Echo Trail in Ely on July 23, 2026.
Lorie Shaull
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KAXE
A "Chi Miigwetch Firefighters Great Thanks To You" sign along the Echo Trail in Ely on July 23, 2026.

Forest Service officials continue to reopen additional sites and recreation areas impacted by wildfire in July 2026.

ELY — The Superior National Forest continues to reopen wildfire-impacted recreation areas in and around the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness.

Five more recreation areas along the Echo Trail and six entry points in the LaCroix and Kawishiwi ranger districts will reopen Tuesday, Sept. 8, as part of the phased reopening of the Boundary Waters that began on July 30.

Forest officials closed huge swaths of the forest and the Boundary Waters in response to wildfires. Authorities believe lightning was the source of the wildfires that began in the Arrowhead and across the Canadian border on July 7.
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"Visitors should remain diligent about entering fire-impacted areas and watch for wildfire hazards like fire-weakened hazard trees and burnt stump holes. Additionally, some campsites and portages in newly reopened areas remained closed due to direct wildfire impacts," a news release stated.

"Plan extra time to find a campsite if traveling through these areas with campsite and portage closures. As summer transitions to fall, visitors should also plan ahead for reduced daylight and cooler air and water temperatures."

A map depicting the latest openings in the Superior National Forest and Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness, effective Sept. 8, 2026.
Contributed
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Superior National Forest
A map depicting the latest openings in the Superior National Forest and Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness, effective Sept. 8, 2026.

Areas reopening Sept. 8

LaCroix Ranger District

  • ​​​​​​​BWCAW Entry Points 12–Little Vermilion Lake, 12A-Lac La Croix Only and 13-Herriman Lake Trail

Kawishiwi Ranger District

  • ​​​​​​​​​​​​​​BWCAW Entry Points 22-Mudro Lake Restricted, 23-Mudro Lake and 24-Fall Lake

Recreation areas reopening along the Echo Trail​​​​​​​

  • Ed Shave Road and boat launch
  • Meander Lake picnic area, fishing pier and backcountry sites
  • Fire and Ice Interpretive Trail

More information is on the Superior National Forest's website.
Tags
Local News WildfireBoundary Waters2026 Superior National Forest WildfiresSuperior National ForestArrowheadKAXE
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