A BWCA update kiosk as seen Aug. 10 in Ely’s Whiteside Park. Photo by Joe Friedrichs
Nearly 75 Percent of BWCA Wilderness Campsites to be Reopened by August 13
By Joe Friedrichs
The U.S. Forest Service and its partners continue to make progress containing a series of wildfires that led to the complete closure of the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness in mid-July.
By August 13, nearly 75 percent of all the campsites located inside the BWCA Wilderness will be open again for overnight use, the Forest Service reports. That percentage means 1,500 of the 2,000 campsites will have opened by August 13.
Updated BWCA opening map effective Aug. 13. Image courtesy of U.S. Forest Service
The BWCA Wilderness was shut down entirely July 14 due to numerous wildfires. Though gradual, the reopening is welcomed news for paddlers and outfitters.
Joe from Paddle & Portage Podcast spoke with Michelle de Leon, the recreation program manager for Superior National Forest, outside the ranger station in Ely about the latest developments regarding the reopening of the BWCA Wilderness. The conversation took place Monday, August 10 at the Kawishiwi Ranger Station in Ely.
Other Recent Articles
Scope Narrows For Telephone Reporting Sites Across the Boundary Waters Region
The border lakes of the Boundary Waters. P&P photo BOUNDARY WATERS – The end of the Remote Area Border Crossing Program and permits that allow people to cross many of Minnesota’s border lakes is approaching. The RABC Program as it currently operates will close...
Forest Service Returns Camping Gear to BWCA Paddlers Who Narrowly Escaped Wildfires
Photo courtesy of Bailey Shinn A Texas family was camping in the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness earlier this month when a wildfire took off not far from where they were staying. While camping on Pipestone Bay (Basswood Lake) Bailey Shinn, her three young...
Firefighters Talk of ‘Protecting Structures’ Near BWCA, She Helps In Advance
Teresa Floberg at a property managed to reduce wildfire risk near Ely. Photo by Joe Friedrichs Protective measures done in advance, that’s the key, she says. “We try to encourage homeowners to think in advance about the risks of wildfires,” says Teresa Floberg, the...