BWCA Summer 2012

We knew there would be long lasting effects of the Pagami Creek Fire in the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness. No forest fire of that magnitude could not result in some campsite closures in the BWCA. The USFS announced changes to BWCA entry point quotas and campsites in January 2012 for the upcoming paddling season.

Not one of the 114 BWCA campsites affected by the Pagami Fire are in the vicinity of the Gunflint Trail. Only 75 of those campsites have been closed and many will open up quickly once crews can get into the Boundary Waters Wilderness to cut down snags and other hazards near campsites. Some campsites will remain closed longer due to lack of cover from the fire or the need for a new latrine to be brought in. The USFS will work to get the campsites and portages cleaned up in a timely matter.

As you'll see on the map below, the Gunflint Trail was not affected by the Pagami Fire. None of the lakes in our District or BWCA entry points in our District have been closed due to the fire. We're very lucky the fire remained closer to Ely's entry points and stayed far away from the Gunflint Trail.

For more information about the closures you can check out a previous blog entry of mine.