Inciweb: https://inciweb.wildfire.gov/incident-information/mnsuf-july-2026-superior-nf-wildfires
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/SuperiorNF & https://www.facebook.com/mnics.org
Fire Information: 218-881-2091 (8:00 am–8:00 pm), 2026.JulyLightningEvent@firenet.gov
BWCAW Closures/Permittees: 218-235-4400 or 218-235-3113
Media Inquiries: 231-878-0998
Evacuations: Please contact county or local law enforcement officials for information on evacuations.
Superior National Forest | Evacuation Status
Lake County: Initiated the “GO” for Hwy 16/Fernberg Corridor from the Garden Lake Bridge to the end of the
Fernberg at Lake One due to the Camp Fire. Evacuate immediately. A temporary evacuation site has been
established at the Babbitt Municipal Building at 71 S Drive, Babbitt (hours may vary).
St. Louis County: Initiated “GO” for portions of the Echo Trail from Big Lake up to the 200 Road near the
Sioux Fire. Other areas are under “SET” evacuation notice for Marian Creek, Ridge, Beaver Tail, Coffin and
Echo 2 Fires
Cook County: Remains at “SET” status at the end of the Gunflint Trail due to the Little Knife Fire. The
Midtrail area of the Gunflint Trail west of Hungry Jack Lake Rd. and the northern parts of the townships of
Schroeder, Tofte, and Lutsen have moved into “READY” status.
Closures & Fire Restrictions
Superior National Forest has issued an Expanded BWCAW Closure Order to protect public and firefighter
health and safety. The BWCAW permit issuance is being evaluated daily with notifications to permittees 4-days
prior to permit entry date. Forest-wide fire restrictions are also in effect.
Key Messages
The forecast for erratic weather, shifting winds and the potential for isolated damaging wind gusts and
thunderstorms will be a challenge for firefighting efforts. Approximately 13,000 lightning strikes were detected
with the storms that moved through the area this morning. New fires may be detected as the sun comes out.
Before the rain, crews in some areas saw as many as five trees fall across the Echo Trail in the span of 1/2 hour.
Heavy smoke has impacted air operations, making it difficult to track the perimeter of some of these fires. Over 500 firefighters and support personnel are involved in these fires, with additional resources arriving daily. In addition, over 16 state and local fire departments are involved in the firefighting efforts.
Wildfires
Currently, the forest has 16 active wildfires, with 3 active fires inside the BWCAW. Some fires have merged.
When that happens, the fire is given the name of one of the fires. This also changes the number of fires that are reported here.
Non-Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness wildfires
Camp Fire started 7/7/2026. Size–2,886 acres. Location–5 miles north of Winton. Cause: Lightning.
Status: Extreme fire behavior and some growth yesterday and overnight. Evacuations in effect from this
fire. Firefighters are conducting structure protection and suppression with day and night shifts.
Sioux Fire started 7/9/2026. Size–approximately 7,368 acres. Location–North of the Echo Trail and east
of Jeanette Campground. Portions of the fire are burning in BWCAW. Extreme fire behavior and some
growth yesterday and overnight. Firefighters are utilizing structure protection, including around the
Meander Lake communication site and generator. The fire crossed Echo Trail near the Little Indian
Sioux River. Cause: Lightning.
Crescent Fire started 7/14/26. Size- .5 acre. Location- Island in Crescent Lake, Tofte. Human-caused.
Contained and will continue to monitor.
Birch Island (.25ac), Buck Fire (.1ac), are in patrol status.
Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness wildfires
Little Knife started 7/15/2026. Size- estimated at 6,000 acres (US side). Smoke has hampered visibility
for mapping purposes. Location- heat detection mapping showed growth as far south as Ogishkemuncie
Lake. The fire has burned a total of 30,000 acres.
Bear Trap Fire started 7/7/2026. Total size of combined Bear Trap and Dark fires: Approximately
13,500 acres. Location–South of Lac La Croix, 20 miles N of Ely. Status–Extreme fire behavior with
crowning, torching and spotting. Fire crossed the international border and entered Canada and has
pushed to within 1/2 mile of the Echo Trail.
Thumb Fire started 7/7/2026. Size–14,129 acres. Location–remote & located 6 miles S of
Gakijiwanong Anishnaabe Nation Canada. Cause: Lightning. Status Remote with difficult access. Active
fire behavior. This fire has crossed the Canadian Border. Aircraft continue to suppress the fire on the US
side as conditions allow.
Minnesota Incident Command System managed wildfires
Echo 2 Fire started 7/8/2026. Size – 16.4 acres. Location – off the Echo Rapids Road, north of Echo
Lake. Moderate fire activity yesterday. Firefighters will continue to improve containment lines and
search for and extinguish any found heat.
Chub Fire started 7/9/2026. Size – 337 acres. Location – North of Chub Lake, southwest of Crane
Lake. The fire was less active yesterday and crews utilized a dozer to establish control and contingency
lines. Today firefighters will continue to improve dozer lines and handlines around the fire’s perimeter.
Beaver Tail started 7/9/2026. Size – 12 acres. Location – West of the Vermilion River. Low to moderate
fire activity yesterday. A control line has been established along the entire perimeter of the fire. Crews
will search for and extinguish any found heat.
Ridge Fire started 7/9/2026. Size – 8 acres. Location – East of the Vermilion River. Minimal fire
behavior yesterday. Crews will continue to reinforce and improve containment and control lines around
the fire and cool any hot spots found.
Creek Fire started 7/9/2026. Size – 4 acres. Location – Northwest of Chub Lake. Minimal fire activity
yesterday. Firefighters continue to strengthen and improve control lines with crews and equipment.
Marion Creek started 7/9/2026. Size – 16 acres. Location – West of the Vermilion River. No significant
fire activity yesterday. Crews established dozer line around the fire. Today, firefighters will work to
improve the control lines and install hose lines.
Nine Fire started 7/9/2026. Size – 5.4 acres. Location – South of Echo Lake. Minimal fire activity
yesterday. Firefighters continue to mop up and to search for an extinguish any found heat.
Camp 5/Duck Fire started 7/9/2026. Size – 4 acres. Location – North of Elephant Lake. Minimal to no
fire activity was detected. A dozer will work to improve control lines around the Camp 5 Fire today.
Bug Creek & Coffin Fires started 7/9/2026. Size – 0.2 acre. Aircraft and firefighters continue to verify
the fires remain secure by checking for smoke and remaining heat.
Canadian managed wildfires
Canada is experiencing similar fire activity. Multiple fires have crossed the International Border. The
forest is coordinating with Canadian fire officials. Ontario Wildfire Information.
Background
On the evening of July 6, 2026, a storm system moved through the area with lightning and little precipitation.
The following day, several small wildfires were reported. Local and off-forest firefighting resources are
conducting suppression on these fires. With warm and dry summer conditions, additional wildfires are being
detected daily.
National Weather Service Forecast
Stormy conditions are expected today with a high likelihood of showers and thunderstorms. There is the
potential for isolated damaging wind gusts associated with the stronger storms along with localized heavy rain.
Rain amounts of 0.25 to 0.50 inches are expected with isolated higher amounts where thunderstorms persist.
Winds during the morning are expected to be from the southeast then switch to the northwest between
1300-1500 with the passage of a cold front with gusts of 15 to 20 mph.
Safety Messages
Flying drones or other aircraft over the fire is prohibited. If non-authorized aircraft are detected near the fire,
any air operations supporting the fire will stop. Drones are illegal in federally designated wilderness areas and
compromise the safety of firefighters and hinder fire operations. Recreational boaters and property owners on
waterways where aircraft are water-gathering are urged to remain on the shoreline. Watercraft idling in wide
bays will force emergency aircraft to abort their mission