According to the USFS in Ely.

Just thought I'd give everyone a heads up.

Really? That'd be a bummer. We head up on Saturday for a week long family trip. I'll bring extra fuel just in case.

NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!!!!!!!!!

I'll be heading up that way soon, too.

I do have to say that the one time I was in with a fire ban on, I actually enjoyed the time without the fire. I seemed to have been more aware of the sounds and vibe around me rather than staring at the embers.

It's all good.

Really?! I thought the area has had plenty of rain this year. I'm headed up the Gunflunt mid August. I hope the ban is off by then.

That seems a bit odd with all the rain they have had up there. Well, waddayougonnado?

I wonder if they are considering to do this because of the wind conditions in the area today. It is really windy! If so, it could be a short ban.

It's been a heckuva wind up here in the northland today, no doubt, and the thought of how quickly fire could spread did cross my mind (while standing upwind of my Weber). But 'ban' never crossed my mind what with the recent rains. Mostly, I played out wind bound scenarios in my head and mentioned to my wife to not worry if we are late getting out. But, since we enter Sunday, I scoured the FS web site for any news about a fire ban. Nothing.

Perhaps when posting such news, a link to the source might be prudent. Without it, folks just get all in a lather in the rumors and hearsay.

Really? Please provide a source of this news. I just looked on the DNR's website and this is the current fire danger rating - low for most of the state.

quote mc2mens: "Really? Please provide a source of this news. I just looked on the DNR's website and this is the current fire danger rating - low for most of the state."

nothing on the SNF website either.

quote mc2mens: "Really? Please provide a source of this news. I just looked on the DNR's website and this is the current fire danger rating - low for most of the state."

I called the USFS in Ely today and spoke with Maggie about my trip in a few days I asked about water levels, bear activity where we will be traveling, berries, the crazy dude on Crooked, and the possibility of a fire ban. She told me that a fire ban was imminent. I thought that almost impossible with all the rain, but that is what she said.

I had thought they were getting plenty of rain up there too, but I was up the north shore last weekend and most of the rivers had very little water in them. I am heading in by Sawbill on 8/9 so I hope they get lots of rain before then.

I can't speak for anything about the potential of a fire ban in the BW, but here are the current fire danger index's for the area.

To put things in perspective when the Alpine Lake fire burned around 2004 or 2005 it was July/August and the Drought Code was around the low 300's. When I look at fire danger I look at the long term values.
IE: Drought Code and 1,000 hour fuel moistures. It is a big deal/effort for the USFS to impose fire restrictions. One that is not taken lightly, one that you just cannot turn off and on from day to day because of the logistics and isolation of all the campgrounds and such within the forest boundaries (Not just the BWCA).

Canadian Forest Fire Danger Indicies

1,000 hour fuel moistures & NFDRS

Again, I cannot speak for anything about the potential of a fire ban, however I would think that before a fire ban is put into place you would hear about fire restrictions being implimented. IE: Only campfires allowed between sunset and sunrise time frames, but given these fire danger values, I would start considering bringing along an alternative way to cook food other than with a fire, if the BW does not get rain soon.(Let me clarify that I am not speaking on behalf of the USFS, just my 2 cents)

Very informative LindenTree3. Thanks! I hope there's some rain that falls in the next week. Going in 8/9.

quote mirth: "Very informative LindenTree3. Thanks! I hope there's some rain that falls in the next week. Going in 8/9."

Yes, thank you - never saw that before.

Also didn't realize the north was dry. My metro lake rose so fast the last 2 weeks that my boat got stuck under the lift canopy worse than ever in 21 years. Hoping those soaking rains head further north!!

Bring extra HEET for alcky burner...Check.
Thanks for the heads up.

quote mirth: "I hope there's some rain that falls in the next week. Going in 8/9."

I have the same hope/prayer.

The boys and I are headed in on 8/7 with a newby and they really look forward to campfires. Not a deal breaker but definitely going to be a disappointment if there is a fire ban in place.

Kinda think many times the fire bans come at least 3 days late.

What is the most accurate and updated web site to check for a fire ban?

quote dprochef: "What is the most accurate and updated web site to check for a fire ban?"

That is a tough question for me to answer since the State of MN (DNR) maintains the web-sites I posted earlier, but does not set the burn restrictions for the Superior NF.

This article was posted yesterday in the Duluth paper and talks about fire danger in the BWCA 7/30/15 and appears to have been written by the Superior NF, hope this helps. It mentions twitter and Facebook none of which I do anything with.

Here is the link

As of right now, http://www.dnr.state.mn.us/forestry/fire/firerating_restrictions.html .

I do know the moisture content of dead wood is very low now up there,which makes it easy to start a fire.

Talking a little cool down next week and maybe some rain down the line. Hope so.

quote Pinetree:


Talking a little cool down next week and maybe some rain down the line. Hope so."

me too

I've been on my share of fire ban trips over the years. They don't bother me that much. The way I see it, I cook on a stove and I don't have to gather wood.

First night steaks is a problem though.

quote mr.barley: "I've been on my share of fire ban trips over the years. They don't bother me that much. The way I see it, I cook on a stove and I don't have to gather wood.


First night steaks is a problem though."

I'm with you on that, I can do all of the cooking with a stove but there is something missing without a cowboy steak on the first night. My wife and I are thinking about pan fried salmon instead if there is a fire ban in 10 days when we go in. It's the best substitute we can think of instead of ribeyes.

quote mr.barley: "I've been on my share of fire ban trips over the years. They don't bother me that much. The way I see it, I cook on a stove and I don't have to gather wood.


First night steaks is a problem though."

Yup, Ribeyes are prepped and ready for Monday night. A fire ban anytime after that is fine with me.

quote dprochef: "What is the most accurate and updated web site to check for a fire ban?"

If you go to the home page for the Superior National Forest you will see the tweets they post at the bottom of the page. They also have Alerts and Warnings on the right side. I would think they would be quick to post something here once actual fire restrictions happen.

quote jcavenagh: "Bring extra HEET for alcky burner...Check.
Thanks for the heads up."

You can't use an alcohol type stove during a fire ban.

I thought you had to use a stove during afire ban. No open fires with wood. Can someone clarify

quote OldFingers57: You can't use an alcohol type stove during a fire ban."

OF57- can you confirm your source for this? I am not doubting, just curious.

I know there has been some confusion about what stoves are acceptable to use during a fire restriction, especially with the proliferation of new stove types. The Forest Service use to just say to use a "camp stove", but now I have seen several FS websites for other forests get a lot more specific listing fuel types that are acceptable - namely gas, jellied petroleum, or pressurized liquid fuel.

This if from a USFS website:
Approved Fires
Liquid gas stoves or fires. These include: Propane gas camp stoves used for campground or backcountry use.
Propane gas catalytic heaters.
White gas camp stoves with a pump which distribute pressurized gas.
Butane or other pressurized gas canister devices attached to camp stoves.
Propane or white gas lanterns that distribute gas under pressure.

Solid fuel citronella candles in a metal bucket.
Solid fuel candles in a metal or glass container.
Propane barbeque devices that do not utilize solid briquettes for the heat source.
Stove or fireplace fires completely contained within a summer home or residence.
Propane or pressurized white gas warming devices with a shield and base.

Non-approved Fires
Campfires that utilize wood, pressed logs, wood pellets, paper, cardboard, or other solid fuels.
Campfires utilizing solid fuel that do not distribute the flame with a wick.
Briquette fires.
Unapproved fires on a summer home or residence porch or in an uncontained structure.
Unapproved fires in a tent, open garage or carport, fenced area, shelter, porch or other nonstructural surrounding.
“Tikki torches” which utilize liquid fuel.
Alcohol ultralight stoves (these tend to be homemade from aluminum or tin cans and burn rubbing alcohol)
Wood “twig” ultralight stoves
Campfires, lanterns, or stoves that use non-pressurized liquid gas or fuel.
Liquid fuel citronella lanterns or candles.
Solid fuel candles which are not contained within a metal container or glass container.
Liquid fuel stove or lantern fires which utilize a wick to distribute the flame.
Solid fuel fireworks of any kind.
Wood, solid fuel or non-pressurized gas campfires contained by a rock barrier.
Wood, solid fuel or non-pressurized gas campfires contained in an open camp stove, container, or barrel.
Wood, solid fuel or non-pressurized gas campfires contained in a closed camp stove, not in a fully contained residence or summer home.

This is pretty well known thru the Backpacking community although a lot of backpackers don't obey the rule of no Alky stove use or twig stove use during a burn ban.

Thanks for the clarification.

That's very interesting about the alcohol stoves being banned during a fire ban. I suspect a fair number of people carry them as backup to burning twigs in a littlbug or other twig stove.

It seems the basic logic is they only allow stoves that can't spill when they are lit.

Can you give a link to the USFS page you read? It obviously covers more than the BWCA because it discusses homes and residences. I found it on a page for the Okanogan-Wenatchee National Forest . So I am not clear on whether this applies to the BWCA or not.

It's been dry in Quetico for about three weeks--only scattered areas have received much rain. We were up there for 12 days until yesterday and only had a couple of light showers during that time. The woods are drying out, and water levels are definitely falling.

The rain gauge at my house north of Two Harbors only had .10 inches during that time.

When I picked up my permit at Toffte station Wednesday the warning "small fires only" was hand written on my permit. The condition alert was at medium. I was advised no fire until after 7 when the dew sets in and keep them small was said at least a half dozen time.
Things were pretty dry although I did not notice water levels down. The mud holes on the portages were packed mud with no standing water. With the wind and no real rain farther up the arrowhead this past few days a ban is very likely.

I want to thank everyone who is contributing here. I find this information extremely helpful. I have the luck to be able to alter my trip next THURS because of all the help you folks have given me.
I have been looking forward to my first solo trip since February. There are many new experiences I want to try out, e.g. starting a fire with a bow drill and building a tripod camp chair from blown down trees. And now, I can move the trip up north to wetter climes and be able to have the sort of trip I was hoping for.
Just think, 20 years ago, I would not have had the info to be able to alter my plans so easily.
So, thanks, all, for your help.

I just got back too and can say that it is quite dry out there. Dosn't take long when it's hot out. The reindeer moss on the hill tops crunches when you step on it. It must have rained 10 times between Tuesday and Friday, but I bet it amounted to less than a quarter inch total.

We saw some lightening strikes too, so it would not surprise me at all if there some lightening fires smoldering out there.

Just got my petmit. No ban.

They got some rain over the weekend in parts of the BWCA.

So are there any restrictions as of right now as in fires only allowed from dusk to dawn. And if not wouldn't they implement that restriction first before they went to a total ban.

quote tobywan: "So are there any restrictions as of right now as in fires only allowed from dusk to dawn. And if not wouldn't they implement that restriction first before they went to a total ban.


"

As of right now 0 restrictions.

I stand corrected on the use of Alcohol stoves in the BWCA during a Fire Ban. I wrote to the USFS Superior National Forest Office and got this reply:




Today at 10:20 AM



Assuming your stove does not require the burning of any wood or tinder and that it is enclosed and self-contained, and that you are using some type of metal windscreen around the stove...,then it would be considered a camp stove and usable anytime.

However, please be advised of the recent press release regarding fire conditions on the Forest:


SUPERIOR NATIONAL FOREST URGES VISITORS TO BE FIRE SAFE
Duluth, MN- July 30, 2015
The forecast is for beautiful weather through the weekend and beyond so it is a great time to get out and enjoy your national forests. At the same time, fire danger is quite high in northeastern Minnesota, particularly across the Superior National Forest, including the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness (BWCAW).

Forest managers urge visitors to be extra careful with campfires at this time. Always use designated fire rings, when available, and clear flammables away for at least 15 feet from your campfire. Help Smokey Bear and make sure all fires are completely extinguished before leaving your campsite. Remember that wind can carry sparks for a long distance from a campfire. Consider using a camp stove to reduce the risk of a stray spark.

While we currently do not have any special orders restricting campfires on the Superior National Forest, it is important to check on status at the time you plan to visit. As weather, fuels, and fire risks change, restrictions may become necessary. As Smokey always says: "Please be careful with fire."

For updates regarding conditions on the Superior National Forest, see the Forest website: www.fs.usda.gov/superior and follow us on Facebook@U.S.Forest Service-Superior National Forest and Twitter@SuperiorNF.

We were in from last Thursday through Sunday (yesterday) and we got inundated. Storms Thursday night, it rained hard on and off all day Friday and then more storms Saturday night. In all, our cups (unreliable as they may be) indicated about an inch of rain in all over the four days. It wasn't cold and the tarp kept us dry, but when the sun did show itself, we really took it in!

M

quote Mesaba: "We were in from last Thursday through Sunday (yesterday) and we got inundated. Storms Thursday night, it rained hard on and off all day Friday and then more storms Saturday night. In all, our cups (unreliable as they may be) indicated about an inch of rain in all over the four days. It wasn't cold and the tarp kept us dry, but when the sun did show itself, we really took it in!


M"

Location?

Like I said earlier some areas didn't get much. I know parent lake east of Isabella lake got a good rain.

Quetico fire danger listed as low. fire watch

quote Pinetree: "Quetico fire danger listed as low. fire watch "

That's good news though I would caution that it can change very quickly this time of year. I was at PP a week ago Saturday and they said that the fire danger was probably going to go to "very high" that afternoon because of the heat.