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Officials with the Superior National Forest are temporarily banning campfires in the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness, amid ongoing dry conditions in northeast Minnesota.

That order goes into effect at 12:01 a.m. Saturday and is set to run through June 30. It covers campfires and any stoves or grills fueled by wood or charcoal. BWCAW visitors can still use gas and propane cook stoves — but the Forest Service is asking people to use caution.

“The potential for wildfire is high across… northern Minnesota at this time. It is extremely important that people are careful with any sources of ignition,” the Superior National Forest reported in a news release Thursday.

The temporary campfire ban could be extended if the dry weather continues over the coming weeks — or could be rescinded if there’s plentiful rain.

Similar bans were put in place in the Boundary Waters 

Rainfall deficits in recent weeks have increased the fire danger in northeast Minnesota, including the Boundary Waters. Crews on Thursday were continuing efforts to contain the 35-acre 

While campfires are still allowed outside the wilderness, the Forest Service asked campers to “consider if the conditions are right and if you need a fire. Be sure to keep your campfire small and put it out cold to the touch whenever you leave it.”

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Andrew Krueger

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The Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness campfire ban goes into effect at 12:01 a.m. Saturday and is set to run through June 30. It covers campfires and any stoves or grills fueled by wood or charcoal. 

Canoes on the shore of a lake as the sun rises. 

Forest Service temporarily bans campfires in Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness

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