How Wildfires Are Impacting Northern Minnesota's BWCA

Wildfires continue to burn in Northern Minnesota, and specialized fire crews have been called in to help suppress the fire in remote areas. Some of them repel by helicopter, and others actually have a very Minnesota way to fight the fire.

Horse River Wildfire In BWCA

The current fire near Horse River in the Boundary Waters Canoe Area is very remote. The U.S. Forest Service-Superior National Forest office yesterday said the Horse River Fire had grown to 20-25 acres. The fire is being fueled by thick duff and dead balsam fir trees. If you've been to the BWCA, you know there are plenty of downed trees and brush that can burn.

They initially responded to the fire with 8 personnel who rappelled into the area from a helicopter. They assessed the situation and were then extracted from the fire yesterday. Rangers are also in the area informing backcountry visitors of the fire and promoting safety. Aerial monitors are continuing to identify hotspots and communicate with ground crews.

Firefighters Use Canoes To Access Fires

Wildland Fire Modules have been ordered. They are a crew of 7-10 firefighters who work independently in remote areas. They often use canoes to access the remote backcountry of the BWCA, carrying hand tools and calling in aerial drops to suppress fires.

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They also work to construct firelines and safeguard resources, and help with public safety.

MPR shared photos of how these hotshot crews fight the fires. The quickest way to navigate the BWCA is by canoe in many cases.

The Largest Minnesota Wildfires In Modern History

While Minnesota has experienced even larger, more devastating fires like the 350,00-acre Hinckley Fire in 1884 of the 250,000-acre Cloquet-Moose Lake Fire in 1918, fires have thankfully been relatively smaller in more modern times.

Even though these more modern fires have been smaller, largely due to better firefighting capabilities, many have still been devastating and destructive. Here's a look at Minnesota's largest wildfires since 2007 based on information from the Minnesota Incident Command System.

Gallery Credit: Nick Cooper

Source: Canoe Crews Battle Wildfires In The Boundary Waters Canoe Area