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)
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One Year Later: The Pagami Creek Wildfire Area on September 11, 2012
Two Years Later: The Pagami Creek Wildfire Area on September 10, 2013
Three Years Later: The Pagami Creek Wildfire Area on September 11, 2014
Four Years Later: The Pagami Creek Wildfire Area on September 10, 2015
Five Years Later: The Pagami Creek Wildfire Area on September 12, 2015
Closures and trail clearing related to the Pagami Creek Wildfire (updated 7/12/13)
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.
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.
