In this special update (July 23, 2026), we take a close look at the BWCA wildfires, including news that some Cook County BWCA entry points will be opening for day trips Monday, July 27, and overnight paddles in some areas may open soon after. We also hear about the wildfires’ impacts on the people and communities at the edge of the wilderness, and the ways we can all support them.

We’re joined by:

• Drew Stroberg, Acting Forest Supervisor, Superior National Forest
• Ginny Nelson, owner of Spirit of the Wilderness Outfitters in Ely
• Sarah Jorgenson-Hallberg, owner of Java Moose coffee shop in Grand Marais
• Ben Hoffman, Executive Director of YMCA Camp Widjiwagan

Our guests share firsthand perspectives on how the wildfires are affecting businesses and camps in the region, along with the latest information on the status and scope of the fires. We also address a common point of confusion — how long will the Boundary Waters actually be closed? — and share welcome news about the reopening of the Boundary Waters for day trips, with overnight paddles hopefully soon to follow. Much of the region remains open and accessible, and visiting can provide meaningful support to these communities during a difficult time.

The Boundary Waters communities have always demonstrated remarkable resilience, and together we can help ensure that the businesses, outfitters, and people who make this region so special have the support they need. We are grateful to the firefighters protecting these communities!

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BWCA Wildfires Update

July 17, 2026

Right now, multiple wildfires are burning in the Boundary Waters and the Superior National Forest. The wilderness is closed, evacuations are underway, and smoke has turned Ely’s skies to ash. To better understand what is happening, we’re checking in with eyewitnesses from across the Boundary Waters — outfitters, community members, and a scientist — who will help explain why fires like this are becoming more common and extreme.

The panel includes:

• Clare Shirley, owner of Sawbill Outfitters, on what she’s witnessed on the ground and what this means for the outfitting community
• Sam Reed, climate scientist with Friends of the Boundary Waters, on climate, fire-ecology and other forces driving fires like these, and why they’re intensifying
• John Fredrikson, owner of Gunflint Lodge, sharing the view from the Gunflint Trail
• Freja Alioth, Friends’ staff in our Ely office, on how the Ely community is coming together to support one another

This conversation will help us understand what’s happening right now, what it means for the BWCA wilderness, and what we can do.