Forest Service Lifts fire Restriction

USFS-The decision was made at 12:00 noon, today, Wednesday, September 3, 2008, to lift current restrictions and to allow the use of campfires, charcoal, and wood-burning camp stoves in the blowdown area in the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness (BWCAW) at any time of the day. At the same time the Border Route Trail system and the Kekekabic Trail will re-open for public use.

A combination of recent precipitation, cooler temperatures, and shorter days has reduced the potential for human-caused fires. The outlook is for a continuing trend with chances of rain every few days now for the next 7-10 days.

Visitors are still urged to use care with campfires, and as always, they are encouraged to use gas or propane cook stoves to reduce impacts to the Wilderness.