New superintendent joins Voyageurs National Park
Voyageurs National Park has a new superintendent. Minnesota’s only national park welcomes Jennifer Onufer, who will begin her new post this fall.
🔥 Current Fire Conditions
Track active fires, smoke impacts, wildfires near the Boundary Waters and North Shore updates during the 2026 fire season. Latest Updates >
TOP STORY:
Invasive bloody red shrimp confirmed as established in Duluth-Superior Harbor
Invasive species tend to have names that make you cringe. Take spiny water flea, for example—a common invasive in Minnesota, including some Boundary Waters lakes. Now, a new invasive species—bloody red shrimp—has been found in the Lake Superior ecosystem, and its name suggests danger…
3.2 million tree seedlings planted in northern Minnesota in historic effort
To create a more resilient, adaptable forest, The Nature Conservancy, in collaboration with state and federal partners, planted 3.2 million trees in northern Minnesota this year. It was the organization’s biggest planting season in the state. By 2030, the conservancy plans to plant 17 million trees in total.
Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness entry points post-wildfire closure updates
The Forest Service says it has now opened over 73% of the one-million-acre BWCAW. Phase 10 brings the total to more than 1,600 of campsites reopened.
Quetico’s entire backcountry is open again, with wildfire-area advisories
Quetico Provincial Park says fire suppression units have been removed and the popular Dawson Trail Campground reopens to front-country campers.
Superior National Forest starts fall prescribed burns across roughly 2,500 acres
The Superior National Forest has announced about 2,500 acres of fall prescribed burns, from the Gunflint and Tofte ranger districts to the Kawishiwi, LaCroix and Laurentian districts. The Forest Service says work will run through December as weather allows.
$3.25 million approved for Tettegouche State Park improvements
Minnesota Senator Grant Hauschild announced that Tettegouche State Park will receive $3.25 million for infrastructure upgrades. The money will help to replace a bridge and septic system. Tettegouche, located along the beautiful North Shore, is one of Minnesota’s most visited state parks.
USFS plants dwarf bilberry to support rare northern blue butterfly habitat
Crews recently planted 800 dwarf bilberry plants at multiple sites in the Superior National Forest. This small, low-growing shrub produces berries that resemble blueberries. This important woodland species supports a population of rare butterflies…
A guide to exploring the Boundary Waters with your dog
Bringing your dog to the Boundary Waters? Dogs are a fairly common sight in the BWCAW. You may see them nestled in the middle of packs, or on a portage trail carrying a dog pack…
DNR cancels one Twin Metals lease, further protecting Boundary Waters and surrounding watershed
A few weeks after Gov. Tim Walz signed an executive order halting nonferrous mineral leases near watersheds connected to the BWCAW, the Minnesota DNR issued a public notice canceling a Twin Metals mineral lease.
Wildfires burned more than 62,000 acres in the Superior National Forest and BWCA, now fully contained
A lightning storm on July 6 sparked more than 25 wildfires across the Superior National Forest, prompting a full BWCAW closure and evacuations in three counties. All fires are now reported as 100% contained.
Mesabi Trail nears finish line with new 6.5-mile section
The Mesabi Trail is nearing completion as crews finish another section of Minnesota’s longest paved trail. Once complete, the trail will connect Grand Rapids and Ely with a continuous route.
Beaver floatplanes carried Idaho hotshots into Boundary Waters to fight Bear Trap Fire
Wildfire season in the Boundary Waters is easing, partly because of rain and cooler temperatures, with many fires becoming more contained. Throughout the season, numerous agencies and wildland firefighting crews from across the United States have helped manage the incident, which has affected communities and dominated much of the summer news. One of the tools they use, the Beaver plane, has been instrumental in getting crews into remote, rugged areas.
Off the beaten path: Finland State Forest
About 10 miles inland from Lake Superior, not far from the scenic North Shore, is the Finland State Forest. The 300,000-acre forest offers camping and hiking opportunities, as well as hunting, fishing, and other forest-industry-related activities. Part of the Western Great Lakes forests, this region is a transition zone between the boreal forest further north and the deciduous forests to the south.Â
Campfire ban updates: BWCAW, Superior National Forest and Voyageurs National Park, Quetico
Burning restrictions have been removed across the entire three-million-acre Superior National Forest, including the BWCAW, effective August 24, the forest announced this week…
Federal proposal would end Roadless Rule protections in the Superior National Forest
On the same day Gov. Walz signed an executive order intended to block copper-nickel mining near the Boundary Waters, the U.S. Department of Agriculture announced it would move to rescind the federal rule that has kept new roads and timber harvest out of the Superior National Forest’s remaining roadless country since 2001.
Governor Walz issues executive order aimed at blocking copper-nickel mining near the Boundary Waters
Gov. Tim Walz’s Aug. 18 executive order directs Minnesota DNR and Minnesota Pollution Control Agency to stop permitting and environmental review work on nonferrous mining in the Rainy River Headwaters Watershed. In Ely that day, Walz also proclaimed Aug. 18 “Save the Boundary Waters Day.”
Volunteers push Kekekabic Trail closer to Ely, one mile at a time
A new section of the Kekekabic Hiking Trail is being built east of Ely. by volunteer crews. Eventually, the trail will reach Kawishiwi Falls, eliminating a road walk along Fernberg Road.Â
Quetico fire crossed the border into the BWCAW; campsites reopening
The Forest Service lifted closure of Trails End Campground on July 29. Recent rain has moderated fire activity, officials said, the Little Knife Fire area is reopening….
Paddlers will use Wi-Fi to report their entry into Canada; RABC permits extended through November
Starting June 8, the Cache Bay and Prairie Portage ranger stations are expected to implement a new telephone reporting system for paddlers entering Quetico Provincial Park in Canada. Visitors will be able to use the stations’ Wi-Fi to report their entry.