Inventory of Closed BWCAW Campsites in Area Impacted by Pagami Creek Fire for Start of 2012

The US Forest Service provided the following information on campsite changes for the start of the 2012 paddling season:

Some BWCAW lakes and rivers will have fewer campsites open for use as a result of the Pagami Creek Fire. Forest Service crews will be opening most impacted campsites early in the 2012 season. However, some campsites will remain closed until wilderness crews can address erosion and safety concerns.  And, some campsites may remain closed for several seasons. Please be aware if you plan to camp on the following waterways that some campsites will be closed and you may have to travel further to find an available site. Maps showing the campsites that are currently closed can be found on the Superior National Forest website, and will be updated regularly as campsites are opened.

Ely Outfitting Company and Boundary Waters Guide Service will also identify impacted campsites on the massive write-on map wall in our outfitting shop so guests can easily determine campsite availability if they choose to travel in the small percentage of the BWCA impacted by the burn.

 

Lake	Campsites Before Pagami	Campsites that will be available for the beginning of the 2012 season
One	12	12
Two	12	12
Three	17	12
Four	16	8
Hudson	12	3
Insula	46	33
Horseshoe	4	1
Brewis	1	0
North Wilder	2	0
South Wilder	2	0
Harbor	2	0
Clearwater	4	4
Gull	5	3
Pietro	4	3
Hudson Pond	1	0
Baskatong	2	0
Bog	4	1
Isabella Lake	11	7
Isabella River	8	2
Island River	3	0
Kawasachong	4	2
Quadga	4	0
Rice	2	0

Changes to BWCAW Entry Permit Quotas for the 2012 Season

The US Forest Service has notified us of the following changes due to the Pagami Creek Fire: 

Forest Service staff evaluated BWCAW campsites within the Pagami Creek Fire burn area and determined that some need to be closed until they can be rehabilitated. Some campsites have safety hazards such as hazard trees and some have resource concerns such as a high potential for erosion. Of the more than 2,100 camp sites in the BWCAW, only 114 were affected by the fire. Of these, roughly 63 received light to moderate fire effects and will be reopened spring 2012 after minor restoration is done. Campsites and trails with more severe fire effects will need additional site work before reopening, and a limited few may need to rest for a few years to allow vegetation to return. Forest Service crews and volunteers will be working diligently to reopen portages and campsites as soon as possible this spring. Because this work will take time, several entry points will have reduced quota for the beginning of the 2012 season. The table below shows the changes to the entry point quotas.

As campsites, portages, and trails are cleared of windfall and are rehabilitated and re-established, the quotas will be adjusted. Updated information will be available on the Superior National Forest website.

Entry Point	Normal Quota	2012 Quota	Rationale
30 - Lake One	18	14	Quota will be 16 after several minimally impacted campsites are rehabilitated.
30F - Lake One Restricted	0	2	This is a new entry point for Lake One. Entry point 30F will include restrictions for no camping on Lakes One, Two, Three, Four, or Hudson at any time. This entry point will be eliminated when the quota for Entry Point 30 can be restored to 18.
34 - Island River	3	0	Island River is closed to overnight and day use going west towards Isabella River. The river is open to day use going south and east to Comfort Lake.
35 - Isabella Lake	3	1	Many campsites were impacted by the fire. The quota will increase after campsites have been rehabilitated in early 2012. Travel is prohibited west of Isabella Lake until we are sure the water route is navigable and portages have been stabilized to address erosion concerns.
67 - Bog Lake	2	0	Route is open to day use only.
75 - Little Isabella River	1	0	Little Isabella River is currently closed to all use because of trees across the portage and river. When trees have been cleared and resource concerns have been mitigated, the route will be open for day use.
86 - Pow wow Trail	Unlimited	0	Trail will remain closed until further notice.
84 - Snake River	1	1	Snake River is open but no travel is allowed east of Bald Eagle Lake on Isabella River until the route has been cleared. When route is cleared, travel and camping will be allowed.

BWCAW Closure Map as of Sept. 26

Some previously closed areas of the Boundary Waters have been reopened by the USFS.  This map shows current closures.

Pagami Creek Fire USFS Update - Sept. 26

With the Pagami Creek Fire now 53% contained and almost a thousand people assigned to the incident, we are going to stop posting these daily updates.  Of course, we will provide important news as it arises. 

TODAY'S MESSAGE: The Pagami Creek Fire is now 53% contained. Size remains the same at 93,459 acres. Today warmer dryer weather will increase the likelihood for fire activity, and smoke may be visible. Aerial patrol will continue to search for new spot fires and assist ground crews with bucket drops as needed. Yesterday, air resources dropped 267,000 gallons of water, delivered 11,000 pounds of cargo, and conducted 3 reconnaissance flights.

ACTIVITIES TODAY:

· Rehabilitation work will begin on dozer lines outside the wilderness areas.

· New resources will be transitioning with resources timing out.

· Line construction and mop up continues along the fire perimeter.

UPCOMING EVENTS: A community meeting will be held today at the Northern Tier Boy Scout Camp at 2 p.m., and tomorrow at the Isabella Community Center at 11 a.m.

WEATHER AND FIRE BEHAVIOR: Weather will remain similar to the last two days with some clouds, highs in the upper 60s, lower humidity in the 40% range, and variable winds between 8 -10 mph, with gusts up to 17 to 18 mph. Tomorrow and Wednesday will be warmer, with highs near 70, and slightly windier, with gusts in the teens. A drying trend is expected to continue until Wednesday night. The extended forecast calls for a chance of rain to return to the area Wednesday evening into Thursday. Warmer, drier air is expected to increase fire activity with the possibility of producing more smoke.

AREA/ROAD CLOSURES: Some Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness entry points remain closed for day and overnight use. For a complete list of closures, please visitwww.fs.usda.gov/goto/superior/home.

Highway 1 is open. The following roads, trails, and areas are closed: FR 381 north from the intersection with FR 377 (Tomahawk Rd.) and all areas north and east of FR 381; FR 373 (Northwest Rd.) south from FR 377 to the intersection of FR 369 and all areas north and east of this route; FR 369 east from the intersection of FR 369; FR 373 to the intersection of FR 369 and Lake Cty. Rd 7 (Cramer Rd./Windy Lake Rd.) including all areas north of this route; all areas to the west of Lake Cty. Rd. 7 between the intersections with FR 369 and FR 354 (Cty. Rd. 7 is open for travel); and FR 354 north from the intersection with Lake Cty. Rd 7 and all areas west of FR 354.

DETECTED: August 18, 2011

CAUSE: Lightning

ACREAGE: 93,459

LOCATION: The fire started approximately 13 miles east of Ely.

RESOURCES: There are 968 people assigned to the incident, which is a temporary increase as new crews checked in the day before outgoing crews checked out. Crews consist of 15 hotshot (Type 1) crews, 12 Type 2 crews, and four camp crews. Air operations will continue to support the fire suppression efforts as needed.