News Release

Voyageurs National Park to Conduct Winter Cattail Burns

Mid-day Firescape

NPS/Cat Berrick

News Release Date: February 20, 2026

Contact: Haley Smith

Contact: Greg Carlson

INTERNATIONAL FALLS, Minn. -- Voyageurs National Park staff will conduct prescribed burns in selected wetlands in and near Black Bay and Cranberry Bay on Rainy Lake in February and March 2026. Additional Sites on Irwin Bay on Lake Kabetogama will be burned if possible.

The prescribed burn as planned will remove unwanted invasive cattails and dead vegetation, rejuvenate wetland plant communities, and reduce woody plant encroachment. Burning operations will only occur during daylight hours and will depend on ice conditions that allow access to burn areas. Visitors should avoid areas of active burning and smoke. For air quality concerns, visit: www.airnow.gov.

Hybrid cattails have invaded approximately 500-acres of wetlands in Voyageurs, displacing native plants such as wild rice, sedges, rushes, and native cattail. The Voyageurs Wetland Restoration Project is a long-term project to improve habitat for wildlife, provide enhanced fishing opportunities, and support natural wetlands through increased native plant diversity. More information on the project can be found at: Voyageurs Wetlands - Voyageurs National Park (U.S. National Park Service) (nps.gov).

This project is funded by a variety of organizations including the Outdoor Heritage Fund as part of the Clean Water, Land, and Legacy Amendment, Voyageurs Conservancy, National Park Foundation, and National Park Service. www.nps.gov