Horse River Wildfire Facts Sheet *Note-Future fire facts sheets/update will be posted to Inciweb and not emailed out daily.
Horse River Fire Quick Facts
Size: 22 acres Location: E. of the Horse River, Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness Containment: 0% Cause: Lightning Resources: Aircraft Start Date: May 22, 2025
Status: On May 22, 2025, aircraft detected smoke east of the Horse River, within a remote part of the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness. Initial acreage was estimated 5-10 acres, with 2-4’ flame lengths. Fire management staff identified the strike tree on a ridgetop where lightning struck, initiating the wildfire. The fire is burning in a mixed boreal forest with conifer (pine trees), and hardwood trees like birch and aspen. Blowdown is limited in the area. Ground access is very poor; safety of firefighters and the public are the top priorities.
Planned Operations: Fire management staff will fly the fire this morning to strategically plan access options and firefighter engagement due to the fire’s remote location. The area is remote and over a mile off any canoe route, and is a mix of swamp and forested vegetation, so access is very challenging.
National Weather Service Forecast: Today-Mostly cloudy, with a high near 58. North wind around 5mph, with gusts up to 15mph. Tonight-Areas of frost after 3am. Otherwise, partly cloudy, with a low of 33. Northeast wind around 5mph becoming calm. Tomorrow-Slight chance of sprinkles between 11am and noon, then a slight chance of showers after noon. Areas of frost before 8am. Otherwise, mostly sunny, with a high near 65. Calm wind becoming north around 5mph in the afternoon. Chance of precipitation is 20%.
Closures: None. Public are asked to stay out of the fire area for safety of themselves and firefighting resources.
Air Operations: Aircraft are available and may be brought in to help support the fire. A reminder - flying drones over the fire is prohibited. If drones are detected near the fire, any air operations supporting the fire will stop. Drones are illegal in federally designated wilderness areas.
.jpg)
