Northfielders, Are You Impacted By the BWCA Fire?

The Boundary Waters Canoe Area in northeastern Minnesota has been clouded with smoke this week as strong winds and warm temperatures helped rapidly accelerate a forest fire.

According to MPR, 100,000 acres, or about 160 square miles, have burned, and the fire remains uncontained.

Smoke from the massive fire has already traveled some 400 miles into the Chicago area, as noted by and . Some have been affected as well.

The fire didn't grow appreciably on Wednesday, officials told MPR, but they are cautious to declare the spread of the forest fire over.

"It only takes one tree," incident commander Jim Hinds told MPR. "If it goes up in flames and throws sparks across the creek, the game's on again, so we're cautious about calling something safe and contained until we actually feel comfortable with it."

Already, the Pagami Creek fire is one of the largest in the region in the last 100 years.

If you have a connection to the area—such as a family cabin—we want to hear your story. If you plan to assist or know anyone who has already headed up there or plans to, let us know. Please email editor Corey Butler Jr. at corey.butler@patch.

If you have photos of the blaze, we want to see those, too. Patch users can add them directly to this article by clicking "Add your photos and videos" above. Or, you can email them as well.