Again this summer, wildfires are raging in many locations in western North America, with large blazes in both Canada and the United States.
Trained firefighters from across the country are rotating in at the different fires and MassWildlife’s trained staff are among those being deployed. Members of Mass Wildlife’s prescribed fire crew are putting their training and experience to work beyond Massachusetts by supporting ongoing wildland firefighting efforts.
Ben Mazzei is currently deployed to support wildfire response operations in Minnesota. Ben is a member of the Massachusetts Inter-Agency Suppression Module, an 11-person wildland firefighting team made up of staff from MassWildlife and the Department of Conservation and Recreation (DCR).
In the coming weeks, additional members of Mass Wildlife’s prescribed fire crew, including Alex Entrup, Dan Bove, and John Garofoli, will deploy alongside other trained wildland firefighters to assist with fire suppression efforts in northern Minnesota near the Canadian border.
Drought conditions and widespread lightning storms in early July sparked numerous wildfires across the Superior National Forest and the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness, both in Minnesota. While some fires are contained, wildfire activity continues, and new fires are being ignited by dry lightning storms in the “Bear Trap,” “Sioux,” and “Thumb” fire areas. Initial attack and continued suppression efforts are focused in these locations.
While providing support, MassWildlife staff will apply their skills in new environments, work alongside fire professionals from across the country, and gain valuable experience that will strengthen the agency’s Prescribed Fire Program. The knowledge gained by staff during wildfire assignments helps improve habitat management and wildlife conservation efforts here at home.
Wildland firefighters from MassWildlife and the DCR have supported fire operations in Montana, Idaho, California, Oregon, Arizona, and Alaska in the past, as well as in Quebec. Most of North America is suffering from a prolonged drought and Massachusetts is no exception. Restrictions on open fires are in place on most state lands and we all need to be extremely cautious with any and all outdoor open burning.
This writer was fortunate during his tenure at Mahar Regional School to be able to bring student members of the Mahar Fish’N Game Club on canoe trips to the Boundary Waters Canoe Area seven times. Those trips were indeed life-changing for many students, who were able to live in an unspoiled wilderness environment for five days where there is no motorized access and everything for the trip needed to be packed in and hauled, along with the canoes on the portages from lake to lake. The Boundary Waters remain in flux with access still limited in many areas due to fire risk.
Visitors should expect phased openings, campfire bans, and possible further restrictions until fire risk is deemed low enough for a complete reopening. The closure order runs until Oct. 1, 2026, or until rescinded, whichever comes first. Campfires are banned in the BWCAW and much of the Superior National Forest due to dry conditions and ongoing fire activity. Stoves for cooking, however, are allowed. Most entry points are now open, but only 70% of the 1 million acre wilderness was accessible as of Aug. 11. Quetico, the Canadian side, remains closed to backcountry use, with a proposed reopening scheduled for Aug. 21.
Wildfires in the BWCAW and adjacent areas have burned over 65,000 acres. Visitors are advised to check the Superior National Forest’s BWCAW alerts for the latest list of open entry points and maps provided by the US Forest Service. If you plan to camp, confirm site availability and follow all fire‑related rules. For paddlers, some Quetico entry stations now offer Wi‑Fi reporting for Canadian entries. If conditions worsen, the closure could expand again.
At this point in time, while most BWCAW entry points are now open, full access is not yet restored. Visitors should expect phased openings, campfire bans, and possible further restrictions until fire risk is deemed low enough to open completely. I feel sorry for those whose BWCA/Quetico trips were impacted. It is a beautiful and inspiring wilderness area that was set aside to protect this fragile natural ecosystem and ensure that future generations will be able to enjoy its unique natural splendor.
This writer will attempt tomorrow to begin the process of getting rid of things that are cluttering up my garage and shed on Mechanic Street. Much the clutter is things that were kept because they might be needed in the future, but the truth is that they are just taking up space. If it goes well there may be a follow-up with excess fishing and hunting stuff that also needs to go.