The U.S. Forest Service is extending Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness (BWCAW) permit cancellations to Friday, July 24, as wildfires continue to threaten the region. This decision gives visitors, outfitters and local businesses more reliable planning time while ensuring decisions continue to prioritize public health and safety.
The BWCA remains closed under the emergency order issued July 14. While the area received between a half-inch and one inch of rain Friday morning, conditions are already dry, and hot, dry weather is expected to return this weekend and beyond. Crews anticipate continued fire growth as fuels dry out and winds increase.
“Wildfire smoke and extreme fire behavior create serious risks for anyone traveling in the Boundary Waters,” said Drew Stroberg, acting Superior National Forest supervisor. “Even short term exposure to heavy smoke can trigger breathing problems, especially for children, older adults, and people with heart or lung conditions. In remote wilderness terrain, unpredictable fire activity makes evacuations dangerous and rescue operations very challenging—especially during severe drought and weather conditions.”
The Superior NF Leadership and Incident Command Teams will continue to review conditions every day and will update the status as changes are warranted. Community members, visitors, and permit holders are encouraged to check for updates regularly.
Where to find current information:
• BWCAW closures and permit updates: https://www.fs.usda.gov/r09/superior/alerts
• Daily wildfire updates: https://inciweb.wildfire.gov/incident-information/mnsuf-july-2026-superior-nf-wildfires
• County evacuation information: Minnesota Incident Command: https://mnics.org/wpress/category/incidents/
• Or, you can find updates on Facebook at: https://www.facebook.com/SuperiorNF and https://www.facebook.com/mnics.org
