I’m passing this along from:

Friends of the Boundary Waters Wilderness
BWCA Wilderness E-Update #58
May 9, 2001
www.friends-bwca.org

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In This Edition:

Action Items – Important News Release

*Campfire Restrictions in the BWCAW and surrounding areas

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Action Items – Important News Release

CAMPFIRE RESTRICTIONS IN THE BWCAW AND SURROUNDING AREAS

As of midnight, Wednesday, May 9, 2001, the Superior National Forest is restricting the use of campfires, charcoal, and wood burning camp stoves to the hours between 7 pm and midnight in the blowdown area on the Forest. Propane and gas camp stoves will be allowed at any time of the day in the restricted zone.

A written description, lake lists, and maps for the restricted area is posted on the Superior National Forest website www.fs.fed.us/r9/superior or available through any Superior National Forest office or BWCAW permitting office.

Campfires in firegrates, charcoal, and wood burning campstoves will be allowed at any time of the day in four developed campgrounds (Trails End,
Iron Lake, East Bearskin and Flour Lake) within the restricted area on the
Forest.

These restrictions are part of an overall strategy to reduce the potential risk for visitors and surrounding communities while still allowing for safe use of campfires. The need for these restrictions is due to the effects of a severe windstorm that blew down trees across a large area of the Forest on July 4, 1999. As a result of this large amount of fuel, the risk is significantly increased for a large wildfire that would start easier, spread faster and be difficult to control. The Forest Service will continue to monitor conditions and as fire danger levels increase, restrictions will also be increased.

Visitors are urged to take care in the use of campfires. Approximately 50% of the wildfires in the BWCAW start as a result of human activities. Most of these wildfires are from campfires that are not managed carefully. Please be sure your campfire is "dead out" before leaving it unattended.

All visitors are encouraged to bring camp stoves so they can respond to changes in campfire restrictions. Visitors can find out about current restrictions by checking our website or contacting any Forest office or BWCAW permitting office.

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The Friends of the Boundary Waters Wilderness is a non-profit organization whose mission is to protect, preserve and restore the wilderness character of the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness and the Quetico-Superior Ecosystem.  We are supported by over 4,000 members and donors.

Posted by db on May 09, 2001 at 16:25