I've been through it twice. To me, it doesn't look like a Mars landscape. A lot of underbrush and wildflowers have grown back. We lunched at an island on Hudson that was burned (in 2014). There were many, many flowers - and bees. The portage to Insula was one of the prettiest I have seen because of all the flowers. I went to Lake Two last year. From a distance, the burn area looks stark; close up, though, is when you see the flowers. There are some pictures on the maps showing the area. 

However, there are downsides. There is no shade in the burn area, and the burned trees can be a danger. 

There are places on almost all the lakes in the burn area that escaped the fire. So even going through it, you might be able to avoid it somewhat.

I wouldn't hesitate to go through it again, but that is my opinion. Others probably have a different view than me.

Wondering if anyone has been back through this area since the last few posts.  Obviously that would mostly mean last summer.  I'm going to be staying at the Kawishiwi Cabins on lake one (first time in 20 years).  Bunch on kids and first timers going this year.   However, I was considering taking a night and heading into the PMA just south, perhaps Pagami or Rock Island Lakes.  Curious of anyone has been in either one since the fire and if anything survived (especially in rock island).  Ill be posting whatever I find regardless, but any info on either of those two lakes would be appreciated.  I havent been to Pagami since before PMAs became a thing and never to Rock Island.