National Park Service

HOUGHTON — A wildfire discovered Saturday at Isle Royale National Park has grown to about 10 acres as of Sunday morning. 

Several trails and campgrounds at Isle Royale National Park have been closed until further notice while park firefighters combat the fire. The cause is still being investigated.

The fire was found early Saturday afternoon, when park staff received reports of a plume of smoke coming from an apparent wildfire burning in the area of Three Mile campground.  Isle Royale firefighters responded to the area and discovered a small fire burning at the junction of the Tobin Harbor trail and Mt. Franklin trail.  

The initial assessment measured the fire at approximately 5 acres.  Visitors were evacuated from Three Mile campground and Lane Cove campground.  Visitors were also contacted and brought in from the Rock Harbor, Tobin Harbor, Mt. Franklin, and Greenstone Ridge trails for their safety.   

 Later in the day, the fire grew to approximately 10 acres.  To help prevent further spread until a fire crew could be brought in to work on the fire, a single engine air tanker from Minnesota dropped five loads of water (approximately 4,000 total gallons) on the fire late in the afternoon.  Additional fire resources are expected to arrive in the park starting Sunday. 

The following closures are in place until further notice for the health and safety of visitors and employees:  

n Mount Ojibway Trail 

n Lane Cove Trail and Campground 

n Three Mile Campground and Dock 

n Greenstone Ridge Trail from the Daisy Farm Trail junction east to the Tobin-Duncan Portage Trail junction 

n Rock Harbor Trail between Daisy Farm Campground and Rock Harbor 

n Mount Franklin Trail  

n Tobin Harbor Trail  

n Suzy’s Cave Trail 

n Cross-Country Camping Zones 8, 8A, 9A, 10, 11, 12, 13, 33 and 36 are closed for camping as well as cross-country day use 

n Other areas if directed by fire personnel 

n Park staff are working closely with the Rock Harbor Lodge, Isle Royale Queen IV, and Voyageur II to provide visitor transportation and fire information while the closures are in place.   

The cause of the fire is under investigation.  Information from park visitors is often very helpful to investigators. Anyone in the area of Three Mile trail and campground, Tobin Harbor trail, or Mount Franklin trail on August Friday or Saturday, or who has information that could help, is asked to submit a tip, which can be done anonymously. The tip line can be called or texted at 888-653-0009. It can also be reached online at nps.gov/SubmitATip or by email at nps_isb@nps.gov.

The fire status will be continually evaluated. Closed areas will be signed where possible and monitored to ensure compliance. These closures will remain in place until rescinded. 

Additional information will be added to the park website at nps.gov/isro and on social media when it becomes available.