Despite most of the Boundary Water Canoe Area Wilderness closures having been lifted, the U.S. Forest Service on Saturday announced more closures related to the John Ek and Whelp wildfires burning in northern Minnesota.
Closures in the Superior National Forest lands include lands and roads along the upper portion of the Gunflint Trail, including all forest lands and roads along Cook County 12/Gunflint Trail beginning at the Cook County 92 intersection to the end of the Gunflint Trail.
Trails End and Iron Lake campgrounds are also in the closure area.
The John Ek fire was burning at 1,350 acres while the Whelp fire was reported at 50 acres. Both fires were at 0 percent containment as of Saturday.
Fire managers planned a public meeting Saturday at 3 p.m. at the Gunflint Trail Fire Department Hall #1 (Schaap Center).
On Thursday the Cook County Sheriff's Office change the Upper Gunflint Trail's evacuation status from the south side of Loon Lake west to the end of Gunflint trail back to "ready' status.
There are no current mandatory evacuations in Cook County, but officials said the public should continue to monitor reports for any changing conditions.
