Gov. Walz provides update on Minnesota wildfires saying they'll discuss an economic package to help recovery

After an extended closure, day use permits are back open for the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness. Leaders will also decide by Thursday whether to allow overnight use again.

Walz says the current peacetime emergency is giving the state time to lay the groundwork for what an economic recovery package would look like. The current emergency ends August 11.

Walz isn't ruling out extending it, nor is he ruling out a special session to address bigger issues.

"If there is a special session, it should focus on the fire and the recovery of northern Minnesota, and that's it," Walz said Monday. "And you can do more work next year when you come back."

So far, the fires have burned more than 64,000 acres of U.S. land and on average are 51% contained. 1,066 personnel are helping fight them.

Republican state Representative and former Ely Mayor Roger Skraba expressed hope about the recent rain and firefighting efforts.

"I'm hoping that the weather, the teams, everyone working together, we can open this Boundary Waters sooner than later," says Skraba. "We've all been told, you know, wait for the snow. I think we put a pretty good hammer on it."

A community meeting at Ely Memorial High School Monday night will provide additional wildfire updates.

St. Louis County Sheriff Gordon Ramsay on Sunday announced updates to several wildfire evacuation zones. He says three zones remain in the "go" evacuation status, while all other zones returned to "set" overnight allowing people the chance to return to their homes and property.

"Additionally, the entire Echo Trail will close daily between 9:30 a.m. and 7:00 p.m. to protect the safety of the hundreds of firefighters that are working in that roadway to make sure that that remains as a firebreak, and they continue to clear debris and brush," Sheriff Ramsey explained.

While small businesses and tourists have had to make adjustments due to the BWCA closure, Ramsey made special note of those that live in the area, and the sacrifices they've had to make during evacuations.

"We appreciate everybody's patience and understanding," adds Ramsey. "We know not being able to access your property can be stressful given the fires. Hopefully this will provide not everybody, but a lot of people some relief and get a chance to see and be at their properties."

Starting Monday, select day-use entry points in Cook County will be open for visitors. However, overnight camping permits across all areas of the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness remain cancelled through Wednesday, July 29, meaning no overnight stays are allowed.

Officials will continue to evaluate conditions daily and may open select areas for overnight camping later in the week if weather and fire activity permit.

“If there is no major wildfire activity this weekend, the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness might partially open for overnight camping next week,” Drew Stroberg, Forest Supervisor (Acting), Superior National Forest said last week. “We are trying to balance visitor and firefighter safety with people's desire to visit the Wilderness. We take both responsibilities very seriously.”