Forest Service staff evaluated BWCAW campsites within the Pagami Creek Fire burn area and determined that some need to be closed until they can be rehabilitated. Some campsites have safety hazards such as hazard trees and some have resource concerns such as a high potential for erosion. Of the more than 2,100 camp sites in the BWCAW, only 114 were affected by the fire. Of these, roughly 63 received light to moderate fire effects and will be reopened spring 2012 after minor restoration is done. Campsites and trails with more severe fire effects will need additional site work before reopening, and a limited few may need to rest for a few years to allow vegetation to return. Forest Service crews and volunteers will be working diligently to reopen portages and campsites as soon as possible this spring. Because this work will take time, several entry points will have reduced quota for the beginning of the 2012 season. The table below shows the changes to the entry point quotas.
As campsites, portages, and trails are cleared of windfall and are rehabilitated and re-established, the quotas will be adjusted. Updated information will be available on the Superior National Forest website.
|
Entry Point
|
Normal Quota
|
2012 Quota
|
Rationale
|
| 30 – Lake One | 18 | 14 | Quota will be 16 after several minimally impacted campsites are rehabilitated. |
| 30F – Lake One Restricted | 0 | 2 | This is a new entry point for Lake One. Entry point 30F will include restrictions for no camping on Lakes One, Two, Three, Four, or Hudson at any time. This entry point will be eliminated when the quota for Entry Point 30 can be restored to 18. |
| 34 – Island River | 3 | 0 | Island River is closed to overnight and day use going west towards Isabella River. The river is open to day use going south and east to Comfort Lake. |
| 35 – Isabella Lake | 3 | 1 | Many campsites were impacted by the fire. The quota will increase after campsites have been rehabilitated in early 2012. Travel is prohibited west of Isabella Lake until we are sure the water route is navigable and portages have been stabilized to address erosion concerns. |
| 67 – Bog Lake | 2 | 0 | Route is open to day use only. |
| 75 – Little Isabella River | 1 | 0 | Little Isabella River is currently closed to all use because of trees across the portage and river. When trees have been cleared and resource concerns have been mitigated, the route will be open for day use. |
| 86 – Pow wow Trail | Unlimited | 0 | Trail will remain closed until further notice. |
| 84 – Snake River | 1 | 1 | Snake River is open but no travel is allowed east of Bald Eagle Lake on Isabella River until the route has been cleared. When route is cleared, travel and camping will be allowed. |