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Public information map of the Horse River Fire as of June 2, 2025, showing a 13-acre wildfire near Horse River in the Boundary Waters region. The map highlights the wildfire perimeter, nearby lakes, and the North Country National Scenic Trail.
Aerial view of the Horse River Fire. May 23, 2025
The Horse River Fire was first detected on May 22, 2025, following a reconnaissance flight over a remote area of the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness (BWCAW), approximately 16 miles northeast of Ely, Minnesota. The fire was ignited by a lightning strike in a heavily forested, inaccessible area east of the Horse River. It is burning in mixed conifer and hardwood fuels, with minimal blowdown but dense vegetation and swampy terrain limiting ground access.
The fire is exhibiting low-intensity fire behavior characterized by smoldering, creeping, and occasional torching. The fire is currently over a mile from the nearest canoe travel route and has not threatened any structures or key infrastructure. Given the isolated nature of the location, suppression efforts have relied heavily on aerial observation and support.
Due to the complexity of managing a wildfire within the protected and rugged terrain of the BWCAW, the National Incident Management Organization (NIMO) team assumed command of the Horse River Fire on May 28, 2025. NIMO teams specialize in overseeing large-scale and high-complexity wildfire incidents, particularly those in sensitive wilderness areas. Their objectives include ensuring firefighter and public safety, minimizing resource impacts, and coordinating strategic suppression efforts using the least intrusive methods available.
The Horse River Fire was first detected on May 22, 2025, following a reconnaissance flight over a remote area of the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness (BWCAW), approximately 16 miles northeast of Ely, Minnesota. The fire was ignited by a lightning strike in a heavily forested, inaccessible area east of the Horse River. It is burning in mixed conifer and hardwood fuels, with minimal blowdown but dense vegetation and swampy terrain limiting ground access.
The fire is exhibiting low-intensity fire behavior characterized by smoldering, creeping, and occasional torching. The fire is currently over a mile from the nearest canoe travel route and has not threatened any structures or key infrastructure. Given the isolated nature of the location, suppression efforts have relied heavily on aerial observation and support.
Due to the complexity of managing a wildfire within the protected and rugged terrain of the BWCAW, the National Incident Management Organization (NIMO) team assumed command of the Horse River Fire on May 28, 2025. NIMO teams specialize in overseeing large-scale and high-complexity wildfire incidents, particularly those in sensitive wilderness areas. Their objectives include ensuring firefighter and public safety, minimizing resource impacts, and coordinating strategic suppression efforts using the least intrusive methods available.
| Current as of | Tue, 06/03/2025 - 10:58 |
|---|---|
| Incident Time Zone | Central Standard Time |
| Incident Type | Wildfire |
| Cause | Lightning |
| Date of Origin | |
| Incident Time Zone | Central Standard Time |
| Location | Township 65N, Range 11W, Section 26 |
| Incident Commander | NIMO - National Incident Management Organization -NICKIE JOHNNY Incident Commander |
| Incident Description | Lightning wildfire in the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness, east of the Horse River, Kawishiwi Ranger District. |
| Coordinates |
48° 05' 33.6'' Latitude
-91° 42' 28.8
'' Longitude
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| Total Personnel: | 23 |
|---|---|
| Size | 13 Acres |
| Percent of Perimeter Contained | 0% |
| Estimated Containment Date | 7/24/2025 |
| Fuels Involved | Coniferous live fuel moistures remain critically low. Grasses are actively growing and hardwoods are leafing out. Heavy fuels remain dry and capable of retaining heat, increasing the risk of flare-ups. Extensive patches of dead balsam fir remain due to previous spruce beetle outbreaks. Numerous falling snags have been reported throughout the incident area, posing safety hazards. |
| Significant Events | Warm and dry weather will continue through today and into Monday. After that, cooler and wetter conditions are expected to move into the area. Dry fuels on the ground—like grass and small sticks—will keep drying out each day, making it easier for fire to spread if ignited. The Build-Up Index (BUI), which measures how dry and flammable forest materials are, is rising to high levels. The good news: most of the fire area has burned out on its own. However, some isolated smoldering and slow-burning areas (called "creep") are still active in scattered spots. |
| Planned Actions |
Fire crews will be working directly along the fire’s edge today to stop its spread. This approach, known as a "direct attack," helps contain the fire more quickly and effectively. |
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| Projected Incident Activity |
12 Hours: Fire activity remains very low, with little to no visible smoke. Crews on the ground are identifying and addressing remaining hot spots—either putting them out or clearing around them so they can safely burn off. 24 Hours: Hot, dry, and breezy conditions are expected, along with a chance of thunderstorms. This combination could lead to more active fire behavior. While most of the fire is no longer spreading, a few areas—especially along the northern and eastern edges—still have some heat and could flare up. However, we don’t expect the fire to spread significantly or jump ahead, thanks to natural burnout and ongoing firefighting efforts. 48 Hours: As weather conditions improve, fire activity is also expected to decrease. Any remaining fire will likely be limited to slow, smoldering spots in deep ground layers like duff (decaying leaves and pine needles). |
| Weather Concerns | Observed: Winds will mainly come from the southwest today, which will help keep humidity levels a bit higher this afternoon. Predicted: Monday will be warm and dry, with conditions nearing critical fire weather levels by early afternoon. A cold front is expected to move in Monday evening, bringing showers, thunderstorms, and gusty winds. Rainfall totals could range from 0.25 to 0.5 inches by Tuesday morning. The rain will taper off early Tuesday, followed by a cooler and cloudier day. |
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