ELY, Minn. (AP) — The Superior National Forest has imposed campfire restrictions in the Boundary Waters Canoe Area and closed some lakes east of Ely because of the fire danger.
A lightning storm Tuesday and Wednesday ignited several spot fires. Fire information officer Becca Manlove says one started very near trees that were blown down by a major wind storm 13 years ago. Because of that, she says, the Forest Service closed Ensign Lake and some nearby smaller lakes.
Campfires in the BWCA are now allowed only between 7 p.m. and midnight.
A 50-acre fire near Cummings Lake, northwest of Ely, has been burning since Sunday. It was 60 percent contained as of Wednesday night.
The forecast calls for cooler temperatures in the coming week, which will help firefighters, but little or no rain.
Copyright 2012 The Associated Press.
