Pam Wright is a canoe guide in the BWCA, in addition to being a writer and photographer.

Pam is in Ely on day one of the complete closure of the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness. She shares an update on the BWCA closure and the evacuation of the Fernberg Road near Ely.

The entire BWCA Wilderness was shut down starting July 14. There is no immediate timeline for when it will reopen.

Fernberg Road closure July 14. Photo by Pam Wright

According to our colleagues at the Ely Echo newspaper, the extent of the Camp Fire and the 4.5-mile run it made across Pipestone Bay of Basswood Lake led in part to the evacuation of the Fernberg corridor. With winds expected to shift and blow to the south, the Fernberg Road evacuation was ordered late Monday night and implemented early Tuesday (July 14).

Emergency vehicles marking the closure of the Fernberg July 14 near Ely. Photo by Pam Wright

Pam spoke with officials from the Lake County Sheriff’s Department Tuesday morning at the closure of the Fernberg. A deputy from the department told Pam Northern Tier Scout camp used buses to transport kids down the Fernberg to Ely early Tuesday morning. Other people are getting out on their own using vehicles or catching rides with others, according to the Lake County deputy who spoke with Pam on the scene. The biggest concern and reason to close the Fernberg is the challenges that would come if the fire reaches the corridor, as there is only one way in or out on the road, similar to the Gunflint Trail on the east side of the wilderness near Grand Marais.

Joe from Paddle & Portage spoke with Pam Wright about the latest on the BWCA closure and evacuation of the wilderness and the Fernberg.

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