‘Unhealthy’ air quality expected in eastern Minnesota through Monday afternoon due to wildfire smoke

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As wildfire conditions in northeastern Minnesota continue to improve due to some much-needed rain, some of the restrictions on recreational activities and orders for evacuation are easing.

The Superior National Forest lifted a campfire ban on Wednesday for portions of the forest outside of the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness. 

Get the latest information on wildfires in Minnesota

Campfires will be allowed only in developed recreation areas and rustic recreation campgrounds in certain areas of the national forest. All campfires continue to be prohibited within the BWCA and in backcountry campsites.

Forest officials said fire danger across northeastern Minnesota remains moderate to high, so responsible campfire use is important. Campfires are only allowed within designated metal fire rings provided by the Forest Service.

The Minnesota Department of Natural Resources also is allowing campfires at state park campgrounds in Cook, Lake and northern St. Louis counties beginning Wednesday. Campfires are still not allowed at backpack and boat-in campsites in state parks and in state forest campgrounds in those counties.

The DNR advises people who choose to have a campfire to keep it small, always supervise it and make sure it’s cool to the touch before walking away.

As of Wednesday morning, fire officials have the following areas under “Go” and “Ready” status: 

-Lake County: The following zones are evacuated (“GO!” status): BWCAW Bald Eagle Lake, BWCAW Clear Lake, BWCAW Perent Lake, BWCAW Squirrel Islands, North Fall Lake-1A, North BWCAW and South BWCAW. Cloquet Line Road reopened July 28. 

-St. Louis County: The following zone is evacuated (“GO!” status): SL-100. Zones SL-200 and SL-201 have been reduced to “SET” status as of July 28. Echo Trail from North Arm Road to Forest Road 200 is closed from 9:30 a.m. to 7 p.m. daily for the safety of firefighters and equipment still working. Forest Road 199 is also closed while firefighters work in the area. 

-Cook County: Gunflint District 1 is in “READY” status, so all evacuation orders in Cook County have been lifted.

The Superior National Forest also is reopening Trails End Campground at the end of the Gunflint Trail in Cook County on Wednesday. The campground has been closed since July 15. 

Forest officials say recent rain has reduced fire activity, and there has been no recent wildfire spread around the campground. Firefighters continue working to contain the Little Knife Fire, and it is now 49 percent contained. 

The Bear Trap fire, which is the biggest, having burned nearly 38,000 acres about 20 miles north of Ely, is now 39 percent contained. 

All the other fires that continue to burn in the area are at least 42 percent contained, according to the Forest Service, with some of the smaller fires now declared as being out.

Some parts of the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness will reopen for overnight travel on Thursday. The U.S. Forest Service said 41 entry points in the central and eastern portions of the wilderness will reopen for day and overnight use. 

Air quality in the yellow (moderate) category is expected statewide Wednesday, according to the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency. Moderate surface smoke is expected to impact Minnesota through Thursday. Denser smoke aloft, much of it from wildfires burning in the western U.S. and Canada, will continue blanketing the region, producing hazy skies. 

Temperatures will be near 90 degrees across much of Minnesota on Wednesday and Thursday. Rain could bring some improved air quality Friday, followed by more seasonable temperatures.

Live updates: Wildfires in Minnesota

Kirsti Marohn

Author

Rain has helped ease wildfire conditions in northeastern Minnesota, allowing some campfire restrictions and evacuation orders to be lifted.

Campfire restrictions eased in parts of Superior National Forest, but continue in BWCA

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