Single Publication

Horse River Wildfire Fire Update-May 24, 2025

Fire Information: 218-432-0953, 8 a.m.–5 p.m.
Inciweb: https://inciweb.wildfire.gov/mnsuf-horse-river-fire
 

Horse River Fire Quick Facts
 

Size: 20 acres

Location: E. of the Horse River, Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness
Containment: 0% 

Cause: Lightning 

Resources: Aircraft
Start Date: May 22, 2025

Planned Operations: Fire management staff will fly the fire this morning to assess current conditions, spread potential, and natural containment boundaries like swamps and rivers. Due to the fire’s remote location and very difficult access, aerial resources are being used as needed. Firefighter and public safety are the top priorities. The area is remote, over a mile off any main canoe travel route, and is a mix of swamp and forested landscape, so access is very challenging. Yesterday, public safety staff posted the portages around the fire to ensure the public doesn't enter the fire area.

National Weather Service Forecast: Today-A 30 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms, mainly between 3pm and 5pm. Patchy fog before 9am. Otherwise, mostly sunny, with a high near 60. Calm wind becoming northeast around 5 mph. Tonight- A 20 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms before 8pm. Partly cloudy, with a low around 37. Southeast wind around 5 mph becoming calm. Tomorrow-Patchy frost before 7am. Otherwise, sunny, with a high near 67. Calm wind becoming northeast around 5 mph.

Closures: An Emergency Forest Closure Order is in process to close the Winter Route Trail (mushing trail) between Jackfish Bay and Lower Basswood Falls. Paddlers in the area are advised to stay away from the area for their own safety. Currently, Basswood River and Horse River travel routes are open. Campsites on the Basswood River are still open. For public safety, the public should move directly through the area and be aware that conditions could change. Continue to follow the fire’s Inciweb page for current incident fire details and updates.

Air Operations: Aircraft are available and may be brought in to help support the fire. A reminder - flying drones over the fire is prohibited. If drones are detected near the fire, any air operations supporting the fire will stop. Drones are illegal in federally designated wilderness areas.

Overview: On May 22, 2025, aircraft detected smoke east of the Horse River, within a remote part of the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness. Initial acreage was estimated at 5-10 acres, with 2-4’ flame lengths. Fire management staff identified the strike tree on a ridgetop where lightning struck, initiating the wildfire. The fire is burning in a mixed boreal forest with conifer (pine trees), and hardwood trees like birch and aspen. Blowdown is limited in the area. Ground access is very poor; safety of firefighters and the public are the top priorities.