Photo: The Horse River Fire was first detected on May 22. USFS

By Laura Durenberger-Grunow - Boreal Community Media - May 23, 2025

As firefighting efforts continue across northeastern Minnesota, a new wildfire has been reported in a remote area east of the Horse River within the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness (BWCAW). Named Horse River Fire, it was first detected by aircraft on May 22 and is currently around 5-10 acres in size, with 0% containment. According to the Forest Service, lightning is believed to have caused the fire.

 The Horse River Fire is located in NE Minnesota near the Canadian border. Image Inciweb

Firefighters are currently assessing the Horse River Fire and determining safe options due to its remote location. The fire is over a mile off any nearby canoe route, and is a mix of swamp and forested vegetation, so access is challenging. The US Forest Service shared in a release that the public should avoid the area for safety reasons and to allow firefighting resources to operate. Additionally, drones are prohibited near fire areas. 

This new incident adds to the three additional fires in the NE Minnesota region.  As of the morning of May 23, the Jensens Creek fire is 16781 acres in size and 47% contained, the Camp House Fire is 12,071 acres in size and 90% contained, and the Munger Shaw fire is 1,295 acres in size and 95% contained. These three fires began the week of May 11th and resulted in over 150 structures lost, road closures, and several emergency evacuation orders. 

 In response to the impacts, Governor Tim Walz declared a peacetime emergency earlier this year, with St. Louis County officials also declaring a state of local emergency.