BWCAW Wildfire Now 80 Percent Contained

ELY, Minn. (AP) -- Firefighters in northern Minnesota are making progress on a wildfire that started in August in the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness. It is now 80 percent contained, up from 78 percent on Sunday.

The fire information office reports on Monday that the fire continues to burn over about 145 square miles.

The containment efforts benefited from several recent days of cool, wet weather, but warmer weather was expected to return on Monday.

Crews will continue to patrol areas were the blaze is contained and mop-up spot fires as necessary. Containment line construction was planned for the Fishdance Lake, Ferne Lake and Bog Lake areas.

Fire restrictions throughout the state remain in effect. No campfires are allowed except in designated campgrounds. Campfires are restricted in the entire BWCAW.

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