Hazardous air quality forecast for much of Minnesota Thursday as fires grow

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Entry permits for the Boundary Waters Canoe Area are canceled through Sunday. The U.S. Forest Service told canoe outfitters on Wednesday about the cancellations. 

Refunds will go out automatically for permit holders.

Cancellation decisions will likely be made one day at a time, said Sawbill Canoe Outfitters owner Clare Shirley, who along with other outfitters, is in regular contact with the Forest Service. 

“I think the idea there is that there are places that are more or less affected by ongoing fire activity,” she said. “I think it's good to be taking a daily look at the situation. You know, blanket style approaches to the entire Boundary Waters aren't always appropriate because it's a very large area and things will continue to develop.”

Get the latest information on wildfires in Minnesota

Shirley said that the Forest Service took a similar approach in 2021, when fires closed the Boundary Waters for weeks. 

Still, it’s created confusion for people who have permits a few days from now, said Shirley. She and her staff have been fielding a lot of calls from permit holders looking for alternative plans. 

“Some folks have non-refundable flights. In that case, we're helping people find a plan B, something where they can still go paddle and swim and fish with the grandkids. If you're from Duluth and it's not a big deal to, you know, postpone your trip and maybe try again later in August… A lot of people are taking the sort of wait and see approach,” she said. 

Sawbill Canoe Outfitters is near Tofte, which is far from the most intense fires around Ely. There, wildfires continue to blaze, leading to evacuations and hazardous air quality. While fire growth did slow yesterday, the Bear Trap fire northwest of Ely spread significantly. 

Meanwhile, heavy smoke from the fires has made visibility difficult for fire crews to use planes to drop water on the fires.

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Minnesota Wildfires

Live updates: Wildfires in Minnesota

Catharine Richert

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Refunds will go out automatically for anyone who has an entry permit through Sunday. 

BWCA entry permits canceled through Sunday

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