A wildfire is burning in the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness (BWCAW), prompting the closure of some campsites, portages and lakes.
The US Forest Service said in a press release the fire was detected Tuesday morning on an island on Wood Lake, north of County Road 18. In a social media post Thursday afternoon, officials said there is potentially another fire on the North Arm of Burntside Lake.
While an official fire investigation hasn't happened yet, authorities suspect the Wood Lake Fire to be human-caused. The Forest Service also said the area is experiencing above-average temperatures and drought conditions.
The Forest Service said Thursday that the Wood Lake Fire is about three acres in size and is not contained.
The closing of some lakes, campsites and portages is intended to keep anyone from possibly getting in the way of emergency crews as they try to put out the fire. You can find specifically what areas are closed by clicking here.
In 2023, the Spice Lake Fire burned more than 20 acres within the BWCAW. In the summer of 2021, the Greenwood Fire tore through more than 25,000 acres.
The closure of some areas of the Boundary Waters will remain in effect until the fire is declared out, the Forest Service said.