Three wildfires continue to burn and grow into Wednesday. St. Louis County Sheriff Gordon Ramsay said on Facebook Live that as of last night, all three fires are active and are not showing signs of slowing. Today's weather continues to be warm and dry, with gusty winds. "It's hard to drive around and see the destruction that has occurred," he said. 

Additionally, the Sheriff gave special thanks to the firefighters, who are "working extra hard." Many people from surrounding departments, including volunteer firefighters from Nisswa and Bemidji, have joined to help prevent the spread. 

There are no Red Flag Warnings in place for Wednesday, May 14, however, many areas are still experiencing "near critical" fire conditions. Lake and Cook Counties are still under "extreme" fire conditions, as stated by the MN DNR. Burning restrictions are still in place. No burning permits will be issued, and while campfires in a designated ring are allowed, they are discouraged.

Until this morning, the Minnesota Incident Command System (MNICS) Team has been assigned to help manage the Camp House and Jensens Creek Fires. On Wednesday, the Eastern Area Complex Incident Command Team took over as site managers. The Eastern Area Team has greater access to regional and national firefighting resources. It consists of people from the US Department of the Interior (USDI) Bureau of Indian Affairs, USDI Bureau of Land Management, USDI National Park Service, USDI Fish & Wildlife Service, and USDA Forest Service.

The USFS has issued an emergency forest service closure in the Brimson area. The closure includes several campgrounds, boat launches, trailheads, and more. Learn more here.

To see past fire updates, click here. 

 MN DNR

Here are the latest updates on the three fires:

Camp House Fire

• 14,979 acres in size with 0% containment
• 144 structures destroyed 
• Fire has been actively growing to the east, north, and west and is still growing and spreading.
• No new evacuation orders, warnings, or advisories were issued overnight, but those previously issued are still in place.
• Highway 44 is shut down between Highway 16 in Two Harbors and Brimson Road.

According to multiple sources, the Minnesota DNR has been in communication with a group of possible suspects who they say started a campfire in the area and then left. When they returned, the fire had gotten out of control. The group called the authorities, who said they may face charges. 

Jensens Creek Fire

• 20,593 acres in size, 0% contained
• Two structures have been destroyed or damaged; however, according to St. Louis County Sheriff Ramsay, the fire is still too active to thoroughly inspect them. 
• Active fire growth yesterday to the north and west along Highway 16. 
• Extreme fire behavior, with wind-driven runs, has been observed over the last 24-36 hours, especially in areas of spruce budworm-affected forests.
• There is potential for continued fire growth primarily to the north today; however, if forecasted rainfall materializes, fire growth is expected to stall.
• Highway 16 is shut down from Town Line Road in Lake County to Camp 26 Road. 

Munger Shaw Fire

• 1,700 acres in size, 0% contained.
• The fire grew yesterday afternoon and into the evening. 
• As of last night, some evacuation orders are being reviewed to determine whether they still need to remain in place. 
• The fire is burning primarily north along Highway 15
• The Red Cross and St. Louis County Public Health Department set up a second evacuation shelter at the Cotton Community Center. 

The public is asked to avoid the area for their safety and the safety of fire personnel. Drones are not allowed near any of the fire areas.