Pagami Creek Wildfire
A lightning strike approximately 13 miles east of Ely started the Pagami Creek Wildfire inside the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness (BWCAW). The fire smoldered in a bog for several days. Like hundreds of other lightning fires, it produced barely enough smoke to indicate its existence. Then a a series of extraordinary and unusual conditions came together that caused the Pagami Creek Fire to demonstrate unprecedented behavior and grow to historic proportions. (downloadable fact sheet)
Closures and trail clearing related to the Pagami Creek Wildfire
A total of 116 campsites in the BWCAW were affected by the Pagami Creek Wildfire. Forest Service crews have worked with partners to rehabilitate campsites, trails and portages. While a few campsites remained closed for visitor use, most of the area affected by the fire has been re-opened to the public.
Pagami Creek Campsite, Portage, and Area Closures (click title for text of closure order.)
Posted campsites are closed both for the safety of Wilderness visitors and to allow sites to recover through natural processes.
See the maps below for current closures and trail clearing progress.
Click for an enlarged copy of the above map showing Pagami vicinity and index of campsite status maps
Campsite Status Maps
Learn More!
The following downloadable brochures describe and interpret the fire ecology of the area and provide guidance for visitors to the area in the BWCAW that was affected by the Pagami Creek Wildfire.
Discovering the Ecology of the Pagami Creek Area
Exploring and Camping in the Pagami Creek Fire Area
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