An update on the three wildfires in northern Minnesota as St. Louis County Sheriff Ramsay warns of another "heavy fire day"
May 13, 2025 09:11AM ● By Content Editor
Smoke from the Camp House Fire is seen above the trees along Highway 16 near Highway 44. Photo courtesy of the Incident Information System.
By Laura Durenberger-Grunow - Boreal Community Media - Updated 10:10 a.m. May 13, 2025
***For the most up-to-date information, see the latest article here.***
Original post:
Three wildfires continue to burn on Tuesday in northern Minnesota, prompting evacuations and closures in St. Louis and Lake Counties.
Around 1:30 p.m. on Sunday, May 11, the Camp House Fire (also called the Brimson Lake fire) broke out two miles NE of Brimson, Minnesota. The fire is estimated to be 12,000 acres in size and has 0% containment. According to the Incident Command Center, 41 people are assigned to the fire, with an estimated containment date of May 23. Evacuation orders for residents in St. Louis County related to this wildfire are in place. According to an update by St. Louis County Sheriff Gordon Ramsay, around 40 structures were lost to this fire.
A second wildfire was detected at 11:07 a.m. on Monday, May 12, 15 miles SE of Hoyt Lakes, Minnesota. Named the Jensens Creek Fire, it quickly grew in size throughout the day on Monday due to hot temperatures, gusty winds, and low relative humidity. Evacuation orders are in place for residents of St. Louis and Lake Counties (there is some overlap in the evacuation warnings issued with the Camp House Fire). As of 10:50 p.m. yesterday, the fire was estimated to be 1,500 acres. Watch Duty, a non-profit that sends real-time alerts of nearby wildfires and firefighting efforts, provided an update this morning that the fire had jumped to 6,800 acres, which was confirmed by the St. Louis County Sheriff's Department. Additional evacuation orders, including those in the town of Skibo, will be in place today as the fire is expected to grow. At least one structure has been lost due to this fire. The Jensens Creek Fire is 0% contained.
Around 2:30 p.m. on Monday, May 12, a third wildfire was detected approximately 20 miles NE of Canyon, MN, in St. Louis County. The fire is named Munger Lakes Fire, or the 3 Lakes Road fire. Initially, evacuation orders and warnings were issued, but as of yesterday evening, residents were allowed to return to their homes. The fire is 1,300 acres and 0% contained. However, according to St. Louis County Sheriff Ramsay, the MN DNR is "optimistic" about this fire not continuing to spread rapidly.
The US Forest Service and Sheriff Ramsay warned that today will likely be another "heavy fire day." Fire crews report that access to the area is becoming difficult as trees burn and fall. The National Weather Service in Duluth has issued a Red Flag Warning for Tuesday, May 13, for another day of low relative humidity, warm temperatures, and gusty winds. The Warning area consists of the northern portions of Lake and Cook Counties and all of St. Louis County.
The Minnesota DNR has extended the "extreme" fire danger warning for all of the Arrowhead through May 13. No open burning is permitted, no burning permits will be issued, and while campfires are allowed in designated rings, they are discouraged.
The Sheriff said that the USFS will provide more airplanes and helicopters for fire suppression in addition to what they have already provided. Minnesota Governor Tim Walz activated the National Guard to assist the Minnesota Interagency Fire Center with fire suppression efforts and assets for the Camp House Fire.
The Minnesota Pollution Control Agency has issued an Air Quality Alert due to wildfire smoke for the northern 2/3 of St. Louis County, and the northern portions of Lake and Cook Counties. The alert is in effect until 3 p.m. today.
For information on evacuation orders:
By Laura Durenberger-Grunow - Boreal Community Media - Updated 10:10 a.m. May 13, 2025
***For the most up-to-date information, see the latest article here.***
Original post:
Three wildfires continue to burn on Tuesday in northern Minnesota, prompting evacuations and closures in St. Louis and Lake Counties.
Around 1:30 p.m. on Sunday, May 11, the Camp House Fire (also called the Brimson Lake fire) broke out two miles NE of Brimson, Minnesota. The fire is estimated to be 12,000 acres in size and has 0% containment. According to the Incident Command Center, 41 people are assigned to the fire, with an estimated containment date of May 23. Evacuation orders for residents in St. Louis County related to this wildfire are in place. According to an update by St. Louis County Sheriff Gordon Ramsay, around 40 structures were lost to this fire.
A second wildfire was detected at 11:07 a.m. on Monday, May 12, 15 miles SE of Hoyt Lakes, Minnesota. Named the Jensens Creek Fire, it quickly grew in size throughout the day on Monday due to hot temperatures, gusty winds, and low relative humidity. Evacuation orders are in place for residents of St. Louis and Lake Counties (there is some overlap in the evacuation warnings issued with the Camp House Fire). As of 10:50 p.m. yesterday, the fire was estimated to be 1,500 acres. Watch Duty, a non-profit that sends real-time alerts of nearby wildfires and firefighting efforts, provided an update this morning that the fire had jumped to 6,800 acres, which was confirmed by the St. Louis County Sheriff's Department. Additional evacuation orders, including those in the town of Skibo, will be in place today as the fire is expected to grow. At least one structure has been lost due to this fire. The Jensens Creek Fire is 0% contained.
Around 2:30 p.m. on Monday, May 12, a third wildfire was detected approximately 20 miles NE of Canyon, MN, in St. Louis County. The fire is named Munger Lakes Fire, or the 3 Lakes Road fire. Initially, evacuation orders and warnings were issued, but as of yesterday evening, residents were allowed to return to their homes. The fire is 1,300 acres and 0% contained. However, according to St. Louis County Sheriff Ramsay, the MN DNR is "optimistic" about this fire not continuing to spread rapidly.
The US Forest Service and Sheriff Ramsay warned that today will likely be another "heavy fire day." Fire crews report that access to the area is becoming difficult as trees burn and fall. The National Weather Service in Duluth has issued a Red Flag Warning for Tuesday, May 13, for another day of low relative humidity, warm temperatures, and gusty winds. The Warning area consists of the northern portions of Lake and Cook Counties and all of St. Louis County.
The Minnesota DNR has extended the "extreme" fire danger warning for all of the Arrowhead through May 13. No open burning is permitted, no burning permits will be issued, and while campfires are allowed in designated rings, they are discouraged.
The Sheriff said that the USFS will provide more airplanes and helicopters for fire suppression in addition to what they have already provided. Minnesota Governor Tim Walz activated the National Guard to assist the Minnesota Interagency Fire Center with fire suppression efforts and assets for the Camp House Fire.
The Minnesota Pollution Control Agency has issued an Air Quality Alert due to wildfire smoke for the northern 2/3 of St. Louis County, and the northern portions of Lake and Cook Counties. The alert is in effect until 3 p.m. today.
For information on evacuation orders:
- https://sheriff-slcgis.hub.arcgis.com/pages/wildfire (St. Louis County)
- https://app.watchduty.org/ (any county)
- https://inciweb.wildfire.gov/ (any county)
