Boundary Waters Reopens Most Campsites as Large Lightning Fires Continue

Overview

• Incident updates on Aug. 12 show the July lightning complex has burned about 74,023 acres and has roughly 735 personnel assigned to the response.
• Phase 7 takes effect Aug. 13 and will open about 1,500 to 1,600 campsites, roughly 73% of the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness, while some sites and corridors remain closed.
• Several named fires remain active with uneven containment, including the Bear Trap Fire at about 38,386 acres and 44% contained and the Little Knife Fire at 4,815 acres and 90% contained.
• Crews face remote lake-access terrain and heavy downed fuels that slow full containment, so teams are using canoe and float-plane deployments, shaded fuel breaks along the Echo Trail, aerial drops where safe, and infrared reconnaissance.
• Officials reported an on-incident medical fatality among assigned personnel and warned that reopenings could be tightened if fire activity increases, with temporary flight restrictions and targeted road closures staying in place.