Minnesota wildfires: BWCA fires grow to over 70,000 acres

Wildfires in the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness have burned more than 70,000 acres, with evacuations and closures in effect in multiple counties as of Sunday, July 19. Fire crews are working on containment, structure protection and monitoring, but changing weather may increase fire activity. It all started July 6 with thunderstorms in the area that featured around 1,000 lightning strikes.

The U.S. Forestry Service and local officials held a community meeting Sunday night at Vermillion Community College to update residents on the wildfire situation.

The three biggest fires have combined to burn about 70,000 acres:

Bear Trap Fire: (Bear Trap and Dark Fires combined): About 34,545 acres, south of Lac La Croix, 20 miles north of Ely. Structure protection continues around Big Lake.

Sioux Fire: About 10,837 acres, north of the Echo Trail and east of Jeanette Campground. Structure protection is ongoing, with efforts focused on Moose Loop Lake and direct handlines south of Echo Trail.

Thumb Fire: 15,394 acres, 6 miles south of Gakijiwanong Anishnaabe Nation, Canada. Aircraft are monitoring the fire.