Wildfires force Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness to close immediately
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The Superior National Forest is closing the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness effective Saturday.
The announcement comes as wildfires continue to burn, growing in size each day. The U.S. Forest Service also cites the drought and a shortage of firefighters as reasons for the closure, which will last for at least the next seven days.
The closure includes all lands, waters, trails, portages, campsite, canoe routes and entry points in the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness. Those with a permit will be notified and reimbursed.
"We understand that this will have a significant impact on our visitors, cooperators and communities near the forest. This emergency closure is necessary for the safety of our visitors, our wilderness rangers and our fire-fighters. It allows our fire crews to focus on responding to existing fires and new starts," the Forest Service said in a news release.
This is a developing story. Stay with KSTP.com and 5 EYEWITNESS NEWS for the latest on the northern wildfires.
This Aug. 20, 2021, photo provided by the U.S. Forest Service shows the Greenwood Fire in northern Minnesota. The fire, which has grown to more than 9,000 acres and was 0% contained as of Saturday afternoon, has caused the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness to close temporarily.[U.S. Forest Service]