Forest service says all BWCA fires contained, controlled or out

The U.S. Forest Service says wildfires that have been plaguing the Boundary Waters Canoe Area wilderness area in northeastern Minnesota are contained, controlled or out, the Duluth News Tribune reports.

However, with the forecast of dry weather in the next few days, campfire restrictions remain in the area and some lake and trail closures are still in effect.

The fires in the BWCA began to pop up about a week ago. Despite a quick response by fire personnel, the blazes continued to spread.

At one point, firefighters were battling a dozen fires in the BWCA. The largest of them was the 50-acre Cummings Lake fire, located about 12 miles northwest of Ely.