Update: Highway 61 still closed in Two Harbors as wildfire grows, near-critical fire conditions expected throughout day
May 16, 2026 09:53AM ● By Content Editor
By Laura Durenberger-Grunow - Boreal Community Media - Updated 9:30 a.m., May 17, 2026
9:30 a.m. May 17 update:
See the latest updates here: Stewart Trail Fire near Two Harbors reaches 354.6 acres; 30% contained as rain predicted for Sunday
9:30 a.m., May 16 update:
The Stewart Trail Fire continues to grow, with reports from the evening hours of May 15 stating 500 acres. However, as of around 9 a.m., the National Interagency Fire Center (NIFC) reported the fire was 375 acres. WatchDuty is still reporting 0% containment as of this morning.
Highway 61 remains closed just outside of Two Harbors. According to MnDOT, lanes in both directions will be closed until approximately 8 p.m. this evening. MnDOT recommends the following detour:
Image: MnDOT
The Superior Hiking Trail Association has issued a "No Travel Advised" statement for the areas of Demonstration Forest to Gooseberry Falls State Park.
Image: Superior Hiking Trail
Evacuation orders are still in place.
Image: Lake County Evacuation Zones, as of 9:30 a.m., May 16. For the most up-to-date information, click here.
An emergency shelter has been set up at Sonju Arena (301 8th Ave, Two Harbors, MN 55616).
Fire danger remains high or extremely high for Lake and Cook Counties, and no open burning is allowed, except campfires in designated rings. The Two Harbors Police Department has stated that no campfires or burning of any kind is allowed in the City of Two Harbors until further notice.
Image: MN DNR
The National Weather Service has issued a special statement alerting residents and visitors throughout NE Minnesota to near-critical fire conditions today. Warm temperatures, low relative humidity, and gusty conditions can result in fires igniting and spreading quickly.
7:15 p.m., 5/15 update:
The National Interagency Fire Center (NIFC) reports that the Stewart Trail Fire is 100 acres in size and has 0% containment.
Within the last couple of hours, additional evacuation notices and alerts have been issued for those in the area.WatchDuty is reporting that additional support for structures in the 1800 block of Loop Road has been requested, as well as additional air crews.
The Two Harbors Police Department has stated that no campfires or burning of any kind is allowed in the City of Two Harbors until further notice.
MnDOT is still reporting closures along Highway 61 in the area.
____________________________________________________
4:30 p.m. update:
The Minnesota Incident Command System (MNICS) reports that the agencies currently responding to the fire include firefighters and aircraft from the Minnesota DNR, U.S. Forest Service, local fire departments, and St. Louis County Sheriff's Office.
The Stewart Trail Fire, now 50 acres in size and 0% contained, is located three miles north of Two Harbors, MN, off Highway 61.
Additionally, drones are not permitted in or around fire areas.
4:15 p.m. update:
Evacuations continue for the Stewart Trail Fire in Two Harbors along Highway 61, according to Lake County law enforcement. People in the area are being directed north, away from the fire.
The National Interagency Fire Center (NIFC) reports the fire has grown to 50 acres.
Original post:
A wildfire has been reported off Highway 61 in Two Harbors, MN. The fire, named the Stewart Trail Fire, was first detected around 2:30 p.m. on Friday, May 15.
According to WatchDuty, around 3:00 p.m., the fire "spotted" over Highway 61, and continues to "spot" in trees, officials on site said.
Structures up to the 1800 block of Highway 61 are impacted, and evacuations are underway.
The Minnesota Department of Transportation reports that both directions of Highway 61 between 4th Street and Hwy 3 are closed. At this time, they expect the road to reopen around 6 p.m.
The fire danger in Lake County is considered "Extreme" in the northern portions and "Very High" in the southern areas. In Cook County, the fire danger is "Very High." The MN Department of Natural Resources has stated that no open burning is allowed at this time. Campfires in designated rings are still allowed.
Image: WatchDuty
