Lightning-caused Crosby Fire on north shore grows to 300 acres, 50% contained
Oct 12, 2025 10:58AM ● By Content Editor
By Laura Durenberger-Grunow - Boreal Community Media - October 12, 2025
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The Crosby Fire, which started on October 8, 2025, from a lightning strike within the George H. Crosby Manitou State Park, is now estimated at 300 acres with 50% containment (up from 260 acres and 45% containment yesterday), according to an update from the Minnesota Incident Command Center (MNICC) on October 12, 2025. The fire has been burning in a remote ridge area of the park, approximately ten miles southwest of Tofte, primarily fueled by mixed maple hardwoods and fall leaf litter.
According to MNICC, firefighters have continued to make progress in establishing a containment line around the perimeter. The installation of a hose lay along the east side of the fire took place on October 11. With this setup in place, fire crews are now able to pump water into the area, allowing them to complete the task of mopping up hotspots, described by the MNICC as "stumps, downed logs, or any vegetation that continues to hold heat" along the containment line. A helicopter was also utilized yesterday for water drops to cool active flames.
Planned actions for today, October 12, will focus on continuing the work on the containment line and mop-up efforts to extinguish smoldering heat as it is detected.
The partial closure of the Superior Hiking Trail (SHT) remains in effect due to the fire (between the Caribou Falls State Wayside Rest along Minnesota State Highway 61 and the Lake County Road 7 (Cramer Road) access points). George H. Crosby Manitou State Park remains open to the public.
Officials continue to remind people not to fly drones over or near the wildfire area. "If drones are detected, all use of firefighting aircraft will stop," the MNICC stated.
The weather forecast for today includes an increased chance of rain throughout the day and into the evening. It is expected to be mostly cloudy with highs in the upper 50s, with a southeast wind of 10 to 15 mph, and gusts reaching up to 25 mph.
