This week hot and dry temperatures are going to bring us close to an open fire ban within two weeks. There is some hope of rain next week- we will see.

Out west it’s either hit or miss… mostly no fires. But I found campgrounds in the mountains that was plenty wet and fire allowed. Even with all going on you’d find fires left smoldering after people leave.
Heading towards home tomorrow, it’ll be eight weeks gone when I get home Wednesday…

nctry: "Out west it’s either hit or miss… mostly no fires. But I found campgrounds in the mountains that was plenty wet and fire allowed. Even with all going on you’d find fires left smoldering after people leave.
Heading towards home tomorrow, it’ll be eight weeks gone when I get home Wednesday…"

Wow nice vacation.

I do not think we will see any more fire restrictions this year in the BW. Lake and Cook cty have had timely rains, there is a little area in St Louis cty near Crane Lake that is pretty dry.

I realize it is also very dry around Brainerd and Duluth but not so much in the BW.

NWS Duluth posted this a short time ago:

“ ...NEAR CRITICAL FIRE WEATHER CONDITIONS FRIDAY FOR NORTH-
CENTRAL AND NORTHEAST MINNESOTA...

Dry conditions and breezy winds has lead to near critical fire
weather conditions this afternoon into early evening. Southwest
winds of 10 to 20 mph with gusts of 20 to 30 mph are forecast for
this afternoon into early evening. Minimum relative humidity
values of 30 to 40 percent are also expected, with some localized
areas in the Brainerd Lakes north to Koochiching county possibly
dropping as low as 25 percent. The near critical fire weather
conditions will be most prominent from 12 PM today through 7 PM.
Together, these conditions could lead to the rapid spread of
fires. Check burning restrictions and fire danger before burning.

“For more information on burning restrictions for Minnesota, see
www.dnr.state.mn.us/forestry/fire/firerating_restrictions.html.”

This made me think of something. Let's say you're in the middle of a week-long trip when a fire ban goes into effect. How would you know there's a fire ban, and would you still get in trouble for having a fire if the ban went into effect while you were in the field, out of contact? Do they announce fire bans on the NOAA weather radio stations?

If you enter the BW or Quetico and there is no fire ban, then they institute a fire ban afterward, you are not in any trouble if you have a fire - under the premise you didn't know. If you were to find out a ban is in place, you're expected to follow it. If a Ranger happens upon you and advises about the ban and afterward you get caught with an open fire there may be some repercussions. They can tell by your entry paperwork that you entered pre-fire ban and they're pretty easy going. It's mostly about educating folks.

NEIowapaddler: "This made me think of something. Let's say you're in the middle of a week-long trip when a fire ban goes into effect. How would you know there's a fire ban, and would you still get in trouble for having a fire if the ban went into effect while you were in the field, out of contact? Do they announce fire bans on the NOAA weather radio stations? "

You're only have to comply with fire ban if it was in effect when you picked up you're permit - they'll tell you - or if you encounter a ranger - and they tell you.

My take: Fires are one of the most overrated things on any trip.

LindenTree: "I do not think we will see any more fire restrictions this year in the BW. Lake and Cook cty have had timely rains, there is a little area in St Louis cty near Crane Lake that is pretty dry.


I realize it is also very dry around Brainerd and Duluth but not so much in the BW."

Thanks

Frenchy19: "My take: Fires are one of the most overrated things on any trip. "

I found out the same thing tripping during the Pagami fire and rarely have a fire now.

Frenchy19: "My take: Fires are one of the most overrated things on any trip. "

Agreed. I rarely make one unless it's a cold morning and I need to warm up.

Yesterday was above 90 degrees in Ely and also today. 91 degrees at 1 p.m., the previous record high was 89 degrees F.
Talking may be a game changer on Tuesday and Wednesday with maybe over an inch of rain. Hope so.

Here’s the current radar for 9/5/23, 10:00pm.

Yes much of northern Minnesota from Brainerd to Ely got a game changer with a soaker in much of the area.

Ely did not get much from that rainfall.

The Arrowhead got blasted---

I like having a fire.
I like the convenience of camp stoves.
My question though, let's say you go in with no fire ban and plan all your meals around cooking over a fire. Fire ban goes into effect a Ranger happens upon you to inform you of the ban. But you don't have a stove - what then? Go home?

WapsiBanks00: "I like having a fire.
I like the convenience of camp stoves.
My question though, let's say you go in with no fire ban and plan all your meals around cooking over a fire. Fire ban goes into effect a Ranger happens upon you to inform you of the ban. But you don't have a stove - what then? Go home?"

If its been dry enough to put a fire ban in place, you need to plan ahead and know that it may be possibly going to happen. It doesn't happen overnight. Get your stoves ready and change up your meal plan just in case. There is always talk at least a week ahead of time about how dry its been and possible fire bans looming. Plan accordingly.

boonie: "

Frenchy19: "My take: Fires are one of the most overrated things on any trip. "

I found out the same thing tripping during the Pagami fire and rarely have a fire now. "

I agree, even more so when solo. I rarely have a fire unless using it for cooking or the kids want one badly. Shoulder seasons I can see people wanting a fires just to warm the core a little, but even then, I’d rather crawl in the hammock or hike around a bit if I’m chilly.

Tony

WapsiBanks00: "I like having a fire.
I like the convenience of camp stoves.
My question though, let's say you go in with no fire ban and plan all your meals around cooking over a fire. Fire ban goes into effect a Ranger happens upon you to inform you of the ban. But you don't have a stove - what then? Go home?"

Example, you start your trip without a fire ban. Then one day later they start a fire ban. Then two days later a ranger paddles up to your campsite while you are frying fish over a fire. You had no idea there was a fire ban. The ranger looks at your permit and sees you had no idea there was a fire ban because of the start date and it would be stated on your permit if there was a fire ban. They would inform you to put out your fire because of the ban. You then would have to decide on eating your food without cooking it, or going out of the BWCA.

So if there is a chance of a fire ban I would just bring a stove, or rent a stove from an outfitter to be sure.

The ranger will note on your permit that you were notified of a fire ban when they check you. This was eluded to above.

Duh on me. Yes, of course if it's that dry I'd hope we would be thinking ahead a little bit of Plan B. I almost think Plan B is now my Plan A anyway.

I’m with Frenchy19… although sometimes a fire is nice, really it makes good sense to not rely on fires.

Frenchy19: "My take: Fires are one of the most overrated things on any trip. "

Truth. I was amazed during the fire ban earlier this spring at the number of people posting that they were considering cancelling their trip because they weren't going to be able to have a fire. That didn't make alot of sense to me. I can have a fire in my backyard or a campground. I can't get the wilderness anywhere else-- so a fire is really low on my list of "must haves" on a trip.

nctry: "I’m with Frenchy19… although sometimes a fire is nice, really it makes good sense to not rely on fires. "

Camped 50ish nites in the BW this summer and had a fire two times. Once to cook and one time as a smudge fire to keep bugs away. I pretty much detest campfires.
One time we were digging a latrine on South Lake last summer and a group had a fire going the whole time, blowing smoke at us for a few hours while we dug.

Frenchy19: "My take: Fires are one of the most overrated things on any trip. "

Not having to mess and worry with campfires is soooo liberating, had two campfires in 50ish nites spent in the BW this summer.

LindenTree: "

Frenchy19: "My take: Fires are one of the most overrated things on any trip. "

Not having to mess and worry with campfires is soooo liberating, had two campfires in 50ish nites spent in the BW this summer."

I hate campfires in the Summer mostly because it never really gets cool enough to justify one, but in late Sept or in October I must say they are quite enjoyable, if not just for the same of warmth, I love the ambiance of Fall colors and the smell of a campfire.

WapsiBanks00: "I like having a fire.
I like the convenience of camp stoves.
My question though, let's say you go in with no fire ban and plan all your meals around cooking over a fire. Fire ban goes into effect a Ranger happens upon you to inform you of the ban. But you don't have a stove - what then? Go home?"

Be prepared..I always have a stove along.

Boy, the rain we had the other night was intense… not to be confused with in tents. But the hail we had if you were in a tent… it would have been in tents…
We actually had hail drifts… all pea size. Not sure how the storm tracked past here, but it seemed wide spread enough to wet things up in canoe country.

I rarely ever cook over a fire, mostly due to the time it takes. If a fire ban went into effect before my trip in 2 weeks, though, I'd be pretty bummed, as there isn't much to do in the cold dark part of the evening otherwise, which comes pretty early in the fall, and it might prompt even more overpacking of clothes.

I'm a pyromaniac, but just a small campfire type pyro.