BRIMSON, Minn. — The largest of three wildfires in St. Louis County in northern Minnesota has grown to 12,000 acres since Sunday and consumed over 40 homes, cabins and other buildings, St. Louis County Sheriff Gordon Ramsay said Tuesday.

No injuries have been reported at any of the wildfires.

After a briefing from the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources and U.S. Forest Service, the sheriff reported in a Facebook video around 8:30 a.m. that the Camp House Fire has “zero percent containment.”

“That fire grew significantly to the north and northwest yesterday,” he said.

Evacuation orders were still in place for residents affected by the Camp House Fire.

The area of County Highway 44 has been particularly “devastated” by property loss, Ramsay said.

Gov. Tim Walz authorized the Minnesota National Guard to assist with the Camp House Fire on Monday. Ramsay learned Tuesday morning that the U.S. Forest Service also deployed additional helicopters and planes to help fight the three wildfires.

Jenkins Creek Fire quadruples in size

The second wildfire, Jenkins Creek, ignited Monday morning about 9 miles northeast of the Camp House Fire near Fairbanks and County Highway 16. It grew to 1,500 acres by the evening and was around 6,800 acres by Tuesday morning.

The unincorporated community of Skibo, in Bassett Township, was evacuated. At least one building has been lost in the Jenkins Creek Fire, which had zero percent containment Tuesday morning.

“They are predicting that fire to grow throughout the day and are concerned about it,” especially north toward more populated areas, Ramsay said.

Munger Shaw evacuation order lifted

The third wildfire, Munger Shaw, started Monday afternoon northeast of Canyon and southeast of Cotton and was estimated at 1,300 acres Tuesday morning.

Residents in the eastern half of Cotton Township were evacuated, but that order has since been lifted.

“Right now, the DNR is somewhat optimistic” about the suppression efforts at the Munger Shaw Fire, Ramsay said.

The fire had zero percent containment Tuesday morning.

Public safety concerns

Be cautious of wooden bridges in fire areas. “Those bridges may no longer be there or be safe to cross,” Ramsay said.
Don’t drive around road closure signs. “That is illegal,” Ramsay said. “We have had a number of people that have gotten in the way of firefighting because they are simply going to look at the fire. If you go around one of those signs, be prepared to get a ticket.”
Burned trees are falling over. Motorists should note that there may be access issues at some roads and driveways.
Red Flag Warnings are in effect. The Minnesota DNR reported that 65 counties had advisories Tuesday due to low humidity, high winds and dry fuels. Don’t burn at all. Be cautious operating hot motors and exhaust systems, like lawnmowers and farming equipment, near vegetation, as well as equipment with metal that may hit rocks or pavement. Check fire danger and burning restrictions at dnr.state.mn.us/forestry/fire/firerating_restrictions.html.

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