North Country Canoe Outfitters

https://www.northernnewsnow.com/video/2026/07/25/outfitter-update/

Outfitter Update Outfitter Update

Went to a long meeting with the Forest Service and Incident Command for our “July Lightning Event” aka: 77,000 acres burning with 17 fires. Though over 1,000,000 acres (90%) of our Boundary Waters Wilderness is NOT on fire, because of its remote nature, and extremely dry current conditions, all wilderness entry points remain closed. So far, we have not been ordered to evacuate ….. unlike our friends and fellow outfitters on Moose Lake, Snowbank, and Lake One.

When the Forest Service determines it safe to return to the interior wilderness lakes, we will be ready to go. We are continuing to pack equipment for those parties who’s permits are still valid for future dates.

Thank you, all, for your continued support, patience, and your calls and notes of encouragement with best wishes. It’s nice to know our efforts to provide top quality wilderness experiences, are cherished memories for our guests and clients.

Of the 17 fires in the Superior National Forest, four are within the BWCAW …. about 75,000 acres as of Saturday evening. The closest fire of 4200 acres (the Camp Fire) is about 4-5 miles north of the base. The Forest Service is canceling out permits 4-6 days in advance, step by step, wait and see when it rains again. Canada’s Quetico Park is also closed. As soon as it is safe to again head into our 2,300,000 acres of greatest canoe area on earth, we are ready to take care of your outfitting needs. We’ll
keep you advised.

The Trib stopped at the base to do another interview with us. Staff was all out in the vans and trailers picking up our parties forced out of the BWCA. So, who better to talk to than the last group we had just brought out thru the mandatory evac area.

The Trib stopped by the base to do another interview. Staff was out picking up the last of our evacuated parties, so they interviewed the party that just returned.

Due to dry conditions and multiple fires active the area a fire ban is starting 7/11/2026 at 12:01 AM. Gas stoves allowed.