Lightning ignites small wildfire in the BWCA

Lightning started a small wildfire in the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness.

The Horse River Fire is 5-10 acres. Aircraft spotted the smoke Thursday, and fire management staff found a tree that was struck on a ridge.

There isn’t much blowdown, but ground access is poor, so firefighter and public safety are the priorities.

“The area is remote and over a mile off any canoe route, and is a mix of swamp and forested vegetation, so access is very challenging,” a Forest Service update said.

There aren’t any closures yet, but the public is asked to stay out of the fire area.