Over the past week, I’ve had the opportunity to speak directly with several of our members and local leaders across the North Shore and Northeast Minnesota.

Given the recent headlines and online discussions regarding area wildfires, I wanted to reach out personally to share what I’ve confirmed from the people living and operating businesses on the ground: 

the vast majority of the North Shore is not on fire, and the region remains wide open, fully operational, and ready to welcome visitors.To help clear up confusion and keep our business community aligned on the facts, here is where things actually stand (supported by data from our partners at Visit Cook County):

• Businesses and Lodging Are Open: Main street businesses, state parks, resorts, cabins, and campgrounds throughout Lutsen, Tofte, Schroeder, Grand Marais, Grand Portage, and the majority of the Gunflint Trail are safe, operating normally, and open for business.

• The Fire Locations Are Isolated: The active wildfires causing concern are contained deep within specific wilderness areas inside the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness (BWCAW) and Canada. The localized area under a "SET" status is near the very end of the Gunflint Trail around Sea Gull and Saganaga Lakes—miles away from local homes and commercial operations.

• Targeted Closures, Not Region-Wide: The Forest Service implemented temporary access closures specifically for day trips and overnight entry permits inside the BWCAW to protect wilderness campers and concentrate firefighting resources. This is an isolated wilderness management decision and does not mean the region as a whole is closed.

• Fire Restrictions Are Safety Precautions: While burning restrictions and campfire bans are in place across northern counties due to dry conditions, these are standard preventive measures. Guests are still enjoying gas/propane stoves, outdoor dining, hiking, fishing, and boating with minimal disruption to their trips.

• Air Quality Varies: Smoke levels fluctuate quickly depending on shifting wind directions. Visitors are encouraged to check real-time air quality updates via AirNow.gov, but clear skies and normal outdoor activities continue throughout much of the day.

The region’s business owners are doing what they do best: providing world-class experiences safely and responsibly. If you have customers, clients, or travelers asking about trips to the North Shore, please help us share the facts: the lakes are open, the shops are welcoming guests, and Northeast Minnesota is open for business.

Click here to read more and view local webcams of resorts from Northeast Minnesota.

Thank you for your continued leadership and resilience as we support our northern business community.

Warm regards,

— Angie