Wildfires in Minnesota

Officials reported Wednesday the Spice Lake Fire in the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness is now 100 percent contained — and a temporary closure order for part of the wilderness has been drastically reduced.

A closure order for part of the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness may be issued Thursday as crews continue to respond to a wildfire.

Winds from the northeast have improved conditions dramatically overnight and Thursday morning across northern and central Minnesota, including the Twin Cities.

The latest Minnesota Pollution Control Agency forecast shows air quality improving overnight into Thursday across northern Minnesota. Expect air quality to improve statewide by Friday.

The U.S. Forest Service is monitoring a wildfire detected Tuesday in the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness. The fire, about 10 miles southwest of the end of the Gunflint Trail, was estimated at about 30 acres in size.

The U.S. Forest Service announced it’s temporarily banning all backcountry campfires in the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness until further notice, and restricting campfires elsewhere in the Superior National Forest.

Quebec is looking internationally for support as it struggles to battle more than 160 forest fires during what federal officials say is shaping up to be among Canada's worst fire seasons ever.

State and federal land managers are warning of extreme fire danger across northeastern Minnesota, as a lack of precipitation, low humidity, warm temperatures and strong winds combine to create ideal conditions for wildfires.