Minnesota Closes Boundary Waters Wilderness Amid Wildfire Surge

The U.S. Forest Service announced an indefinite closure of the entire Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness (BWCAW) in northern Minnesota, effective 12:01 a.m. on July 14. The decision follows more than a dozen wildfires burning across the 1‑million‑acre wilderness and the surrounding Superior National Forest, driven by extreme heat, red‑flag warnings and lightning‑sparked ignitions. All entry points, overnight paddle, motor and hiking reservations for July 13‑17, and day‑use motor permits for July 14‑17 were cancelled, with automatic refunds issued to permit holders.

Governor Tim Walz declared a peacetime emergency and mobilized the Minnesota National Guard to assist firefighting efforts. The closure is the first total shutdown of the BWCAW since 2021 and mirrors the area’s 3.9‑million‑acre closure across the Superior National Forest. Fires such as the Bear Trap and Thumb fires have crossed into Ontario, highlighting the cross‑border nature of the blaze. Officials warned that smoke, unstable conditions and rapid fire behavior pose significant risks to visitors and responders, urging the public to stay out of the wilderness until conditions improve.