Frantic dawn escape: brothers survive Boundary Waters wildfire

Two brothers on a 10‑day paddling trip in Quetico near the Boundary Waters faced a fast‑moving crown fire that surrounded their campsites. After sheltering through the night and triggering a satellite SOS, they paddled and portaged through smoke‑filled lakes to safety, ultimately being rescued at Prairie Portage by Willy Vosburgh as the wilderness closed. The harrowing ordeal included near‑zero visibility, burning trees and ground fires, underscoring the danger wildfires pose in Minnesota’s backcountry.