News Release

Winter Cattail Burns in Voyageurs National Park

A ranger conducts a prescribed burn

NPS Photo

News Release Date: February 16, 2024

Contact: Jerry Warmbold

Contact: Mark Miller

INTERNATIONAL FALLS, MN: In the coming weeks, when conditions allow, Voyageurs National Park staff will conduct prescribed burns in selected wetlands on Rainy and Kabetogama Lakes. The burn operations will be in and near Black Bay, Dove Bay, Cranberry Bay, and Alder Creek on Rainy Lake and Tom Cod, Irwin, Bowman, and Daley Bays on Kabetogama Lake. Activities include burning invasive hybrid cattail stands in areas that will be mechanically treated during the summer. The winter burning assists in reducing the amount of organic material to be mechanically removed, greatly improving the efficacy of the summer work. Burning will be attempted in late February through early March 2024.

Burning operations will only occur during daylight hours. Visitors are reminded that smoke will be generated by the burning operations and to avoid areas of active burning.

Hybrid cattails have invaded approximately 500-acres of wetlands in Voyageurs, displacing native communities of 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)