Superior National Forest

The USDA allowed emergency actions on millions of acres of national forest land, including the Superior and Chippewa, pointing to fire risk, forest health and timber needs.

The Superior National Forest plans two dozen or so fires in the coming weeks, ranging from 2 to 2,000 acres.

The purpose of the Fernberg Corridor Project is to minimize the potential effects from a wildfire where the Boundary Waters abuts residential areas.

The U.S. Forest Service encourages visitors to book their reservations online at recreation.gov. Reservations may also be made by calling 1-877-444-6777.

Plus, Northeastern MN farmers are encouraged to apply for climate resiliency project funding, and the Superior National Forest is seeking members for its Natural Resource Advisory Board.

The volunteer committee is comprised of 15 members, each serving four-year terms and meeting once or twice per year.

The drop is despite the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources reporting record high bear encounters elsewhere in the state.

The Superior National Forest saw many damaged ski bridges in the June 2024 floods and the new trailhead provides quicker access to the trail system.

Even with dry conditions, the Superior National Forest burned over 2,000 prescribed acres in efforts to return fire to the landscape.

The annual Boundary Waters report shows off-season growth, a quota season drop and record permit cancellations. Plan ahead for 2025 permits, available Jan. 29.