Towboats Save Paddlers from Wildfire | Duluth News

When the Camp Fire roared toward Ely, the U.S. Forest Service turned to an unlikely hero: local towboat outfitters. Normally barred from much of the Boundary Waters, these operators—like Willy Vosburgh and Dave Sebesta—were granted emergency access to evacuate dozens of stranded paddlers from Basswood Lake. With smoke rising and aircraft battling flames, the outfitters shuttled people out, leaving gear behind to save lives. Rangers scrambled, but it was the outfitters’ local expertise and specialized boats that made the difference. As night fell, they coordinated rescues for groups like Boy Scouts, proving that in crises, community partners with the right tools can be the lifeline that keeps people safe. The Forest Service praised their “great assistance,” and compensation is on the way—because sometimes, the most vital rescues come from those already on the water. Listen in comfort:Get a discount on a Soli Pillow: http://solipillow.com/discount/dnn. Advertise on DNN:[email protected] This is an automated, high-level news summary based on public reporting.Report issues to [email protected]. View sources & latest updates:https://sources.thednn.ai/81e220dd993ffa8c