AW Map Correlates Wildfires, Rivers
Gearing up for an exciting paddling adventure this summer? To keep it from becoming more exciting than you bargained for (and not in a good way), and to be aware of the potential for changes in the plan, you might want to consult American Whitewater's new Wildfire Information Map.
It may be an unprecedented fire season. As AW said in announcing the map July 9, "This means that in addition to checking flows and the weather before heading to the river, it's a good idea to also check for any wildfires, smoke issues, or closures that may impact your plans." In addition to rivers and fires, the map—through selection of additional layers—gives information about smoke and air quality and past fire history.
A sobering reminder of the way in which wildfires can affect travel plans came in mid-July, when the U.S. Forest Service announced the emergency closure of the entire Boundary Waters Canoe Area due to wildfires across northern Minnesota.