US Forest Service Shares Aerial Video Of BWCA Wildfires

The U.S. Forest Service-Superior National Forest is working with the Ontario Natural Rescources everyday to monitor the wildfires burning just across the border from the Boundary Waters Canoe Area.

You can see several fires burning and thick smoke filling the air. The extreme drought this summer has created a critical fire danger that is in place today and much of the month. The wilderness area is closed due to the fire activity.

According to Queticosuperior.org, the Whelp fire has caused the Forest service to close the following portions of the BWCA:

Hub Lake
Mesaba Lake
Dent Lake
Chaser Lake
Bug Lake
Louse Lake
Louse River
Poe Lake
Mug Lake
Wine Lake
Frederick Lake
Hug Lake
Duck Lake
Zenith Lake
Trail Lake
Boze Lake
Frond Lake
Lujenida Lake

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Other significant fires have started in Northern Minnesota. The Greenwood fire 15 miles southwest of Isabella has moved very quickly due to dry vegetation and strong wind gusts. According to BringMeTheNews, the fire has surpassed 3200 acres and is completely uncontained. Fire crews are in the early stages of combating this fire. Some areas have been closed such as the McDougal Lake boat ramps, picnic areas, and recreation area. Evacuations may be needed for the lake.

Many other smaller fires have been contained. More are developing. The Minnesota DNR has banned all campfires on any of their manage land. That includes at campsites, with or without a ring. There also are burning restrictions across the state.

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