Superior National Forest Restricts Campfire Use within the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness

Drying conditions across northern Minnesota prompts campfire restrictions in the BWCAW

Duluth, Minn. June 4, 2026—Due to continued dry conditions and wildfire danger conditions, the Superior National Forest is issuing an Emergency Forest Order for campfire restrictions effective June 6, 2026 at 12:01 a.m. within the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness (BWCAW). This Order restricts the ignition, building, maintaining, attending, or using a fire or campfire, including charcoal grills and barbeques, coal, and woodburning stoves to reduce the likelihood of a wildfire within the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness (BWCAW). Campfire restriction information and Exhibit A-Closure Map will be posted to the forests Alerts page https://www.fs.usda.gov/r09/superior/alerts

BWCAW campfire restrictions go into effect beginning Saturday morning (12:01) a.m., June 6, 2026 until June 30 unless rescinded or extended:
• Gas or propane cook stoves are allowed throughout the BWCAW.
• Stoves or grills fueled by charcoal, or any type of wood are not allowed.

The potential for wildfire is high across all ownerships in northern Minnesota at this time. It is extremely important that people are careful with any sources of ignition such as smoking devices, dragging chains, and recreational vehicles. If you are in a location where you can have a campfire outside the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness, 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. All permitted campfires must be attended all times.

For additional information regarding fire-related and/or forest closures and updates:

• Superior National Forest website https://www.fs.usda.gov/r09/superior/alerts
• Minnesota Incident Command System website at www.mnics.org
• For statewide fire restriction information: https://mnics.org/wpress/counties-added-to-spring-burning-restrictions

For additional information, visit the Superior National Forest website and sign up for email news. Follow the forest's Facebook and Twitter/X for updates.

About the Forest Service: The USDA Forest Service has for more than 100 years brought people and communities together to answer the call of conservation. Grounded in world-class science and technology– and rooted in communities–the Forest Service connects people to nature and to each other. The Forest Service cares for shared natural resources in ways that promote lasting economic, ecological, and social vitality. The agency manages 193 million acres of public land, provides assistance to state and private landowners, maintains the largest wildland fire and forestry research organizations in the world. The Forest Service also has either a direct or indirect role in stewardship of about 900 million forested acres within the U.S., of which over 130 million acres are urban forests where most Americans live.

###