The U.S. Forest Service has ended its special fire control operations

Federal officials have declared the forest fires that raged across northeastern Minnesota this summer 100% contained. A lightning strike on July 6, 2026 started a series of fires that led to the closure of the 1.1 million Boundary Waters Canoe Area. The closure led to significant business closures and evacuations of homes and cabins.

Officially more than 20 fires burned more than 70,000 acres in northeastern Minnesota, and eventually closure of the Quetico Provincial in Ontario.

As the paddling season comes to a close, the USFS has ended fire control operations that brought 1,200 firefighting personnel to staging areas near Ely, MN. Officials estimate 150 of the BWCAW’s 2,000 campsites.

The U.S.Forest Service’s “ July 2026 Lightning Event” email address and telephone number are no longer active.