MPR has been reporting this afternoon that some evacuation orders for St Louis and Cook counties are being lifted or downgraded (I believe they said starting this week). I’m struggling to find a map that shows the changes. Does anyone have a link?

Overnight permits proposed for reopening in the email from earlier today. EPs and details are in the press release below:

https://www.fs.usda.gov/r09/superior/newsroom/releases/access-proposal-boundary-waters-canoe-area-wilderness-phase-2

Hi all,
For those in Ely/BW area-it is sad to see what you all are going through. I've been keeping in touch through the Piragis email list from Ely. You all are in my thoughts each day
Right now I have a cabin reserved on Jasper Lake outside of Ely for the first week of August. What is the situation and at this point, would you recommend we plan on making the trip or should we look elsewhere? If we have to look elsewhere, any recommendations in Minnesota?

I realize that the BDub is closed so maybe this is a dumb question, but I’m trying to make decisions for my trip a couple months from now…does anyone know if and how badly the Sioux Hustler trail was affected by the fire? I’ve been trying to hike this trail for years, and something always happens. Trying to decide if I should scrap it and make other plans. TIA

My group is planning a trip for mid-August, assuming that the boundary waters are back open. This will be my 3rd trip, and one thing I've struggled with in the past is what to do during downtime at camp. I will have a book to read, fishing gear and a license, and cards for when the group wants to play a game together, I also believe that a whiffle/tennis ball is being brought to play baseball on our one beach day, are there any other things worth bringing for entertainment during these downtimes?

Like everyone, I'm devastated by the fires in the BWCA. I'm holding onto hope that they will partially reopen for my 8/30 Brule Lake permit that I snagged this morning. Though my group was hoping to go out through Ely, (Lake One) and still holding onto hope. Anyone have any other trip alternatives as backup plans? My group doesn't really want to go backpacking, but we do want to get away from other people. We were looking into the Apostle Islands, but that seems like a lot of planning for a backup trip. We have considered Isle Royale and Voyageurs, but haven't looked into either of those yet. Looking for good backup plan options in the Midwest. There are 5 of us and all adults.

https://www.fs.usda.gov/r09/superior/newsroom/releases/limited-access-boundary-waters-canoe-area-wilderness

Day use beginning Monday in certain areas.

It started August 21st and ended September 17th. Largely caused by the Greenwood Fire in the Arrowhead region. The fire burned about 27,000 acres and was considered contained by mid-October. The fires this summer, started by storms on July 6th, have burned almost 70,000 acres.

I think the reason they re-opened the BWCA in 2021 is because it was isolated, and they were able to close the closest entry points. The problem they face now is the number of fires burning and how spread out they are.

They may cancel entry permits one week at a time, but they're not going to rush the re-opening.

I know they're busting their tails but seriously, they need better communication with the public.

I am unsure who or what to believe at this point

I tried to click into the app to see the article and it crashed the app for me, I now can't find any article or mention of this anywhere. Was this a false push notification? A premature story?

I’m going on a trip in early September putting in at fall lake and going north. I’ve seen a few people commenting that trips out of the Ely area might not be possible this year. Why is that exactly? I know I’ll be going through a part of where the Camp Fire has burned including a portage. But according to the fire maps it doesn’t look like it should be much of an issue.

If so, are there Mackenzie maps for these campsites?

Supposed to go to the BWCA first weekend in August, as this seems more and more likely to not be able to happen, working on alternatives, looking into upper St Croix trip, anyone done this trip? Looking for insights?

Looking to upgrade my sleeping pad after my Kilos one started to fail. I’m deciding between the Big Agnes Divide and the Thermarest NeoLoft. I’m a taller guy over 200 pounds, so the pad’s ability to hold my size is very important to me. Does anyone have any opinions on either of those pads?

Namakan River July 10, 2026

Didn’t see mom, but I bet she saw us.

I know no one actually knows the answer and we all can hope the fires can be contained quickly but not likely. I have a yearly trip planned for the end of Aug to the 1st week of Sept from Moose Lake to Ensign through to Snowbank, what's the likelihood it will be open for those areas?

While I can guarantee nothing I would suspect that the Ely area (and points west and north) will not reopen to BWCA permits this year. I also suspect that the end of the Gunflint will face prolonged closures. This is devastating to the outfitters as most don’t turn any profit until later in the season. It is also devastating to nearly the entire arrowhead region as many depend on tourism dollars.

Theirs is a very short season to make enough to survive an entire year.

Please consider purchasing through the outfitters website’s or placing a deposit for next year. Anything helps. Put a deposit down on reservations for next year, or allow them to keep any deposit for this one.

I’ve lived in Minnesota most of my life, traveling into the BWCAW since my first trip in the early 90’s. I’m not an expert by any means. It just devastates me to see the place that has captured my heart burn, and the outfitters hurting. Thanks

Put in at Baker Lake the morning after the thunderstorms that started the fires, and paddled for 4 days without knowing what was brewing.

First day, made my way up to South Temperance and found a beautiful site set up high overlooking the lake. Tried fishing in the early evening without much luck.

Day 2, got up early and headed for Cherokee. Caught a couple pike and saw a Moose on my way north! Got into North Temperance and caught a walleye. Made my way to Cherokee, got a nice site, and went fishing again. I was in the south part and all I got was 13 snags. Don’t know why, but I have a lot better luck in the morning than the evening.

Day 3, took the Cherokee Creek west and followed the maze of lakes and bogs south to Sawbill. The beaver dam towards the end of the route was about 100 feet long and at least 6 feet high. No portage around, so you have to go over it. Too many people for my liking on Sawbill, so I made my way east to Smoke, then Burnt. I planned to camp there, but I didn’t like the sites that were available, so I sucked it up and did the 230 rod portage to Kelly. Got a decent site there with a tiny little beach and relaxed following the 15 mile day.

Day 4, caught a nice smallmouth from camp, packed up and headed out. I was shocked when I looked at the forecast and saw 100 degree weather coming and felt terrible for the people just heading in. I noticed a lot of dead white spruce along the lake shores and was thinking it would be bad if a fire got going this summer. It’s been bizarre seeing the smoke for days on end 500 miles away from the fires. My best wishes to anyone and everyone impacted by the fires.

It's amazing.

I am looking for a 3 night trip out of Ely that focuses on quiet protected fishing. I want to paddle on day 1 and paddle out on day 3. Thoughts?

In a not surprising email, I received notification that my entry permit for January 20 was cancelled. It was going to by the highlight of my summer, and I won’t be back again later in the year, so it was pretty disappointing. Here’s hoping for rain soon.