Cabins destroyed as 750-acre wildfire continues to spread

Yahoo

12-05-2025

A fast-growing wildfire about 35 miles northeast of Duluth has nearly tripled in size and reportedly destroyed several cabins, authorities said Monday.
The Camp House fire began Sunday afternoon near the remote town of Brimson.
With abnormally hot, dry and windy conditions persisting in the region, the fire grew to roughly 200 acres Sunday before nearly tripling in size to an estimated 750 acres, which is more than one square mile, by late Monday morning.
The fire forced evacuations Sunday and more evacuations could soon be ordered. St. Louis County officials are urging anyone in the area to sign up for emergency alert text messages and be aware of evacuation maps.
St. Louis County Sheriff Gordon Ramsay told MPR News the blaze may have started with a campfire. However, the cause has not been confirmed as the investigation continues.
According to Northern News Now, Ramsay confirmed the fire has destroyed at least three cabins and one garage.
No injuries have been reported as of early Monday afternoon.
Officials have named the fire after the camp and retreat center in Brimson operated by Green Lake Lutheran Ministries.
"As crews continue to respond to the wildfire near our Camp House site in Brimson, Minnesota, our prayers are with the firefighters, first responders, and neighbors affected by the fire," the organization shared Monday. "While no one is currently on site, we remain mindful of the impact on the surrounding community."
Anthony Coughlin, the owner of a local dog sledding business called Endurance Kennels LLC, wrote on GoFundMe that one dog born at the business' kennel in 2022 died early Monday morning "due to the immediate evacuation and stress of the Camp House Fire."
In a Facebook post, the business said heat exhaustion caused by the weather and the stress of the evacuation led to the dog's death at the emergency vet in Duluth.
The page is raising support for the dog's owner, Soph Mintz, as she temporarily relocates with her 25 sled dogs and four cats to her parents' cabin in Finland.
Sen. Grant Hauschild, DFL-Hermantown, in a Facebook post thanked fire crews for their efforts in battling the fast-moving wildfire.
"But here's the reality: recent federal cuts have made wildfire response even harder," he wrote. "The Forest Service has been hit with layoffs, and key prevention efforts have been frozen. That means fewer people and fewer resources on the ground when these disasters strike."
Hauschild continued: "This should be a wake-up call. We need to fully fund wildfire prevention and response—before more communities are put at risk. Stay as safe out there, and thank you to all the first responders on the front lines."
Record-breaking heat, low humidity and gusty winds have produced dangerous fire conditions across most of Minnesota.
As of Monday, red flag warnings are in effect in 80 of the 87 counties.
For crews battling the Camp House Fire, cooler conditions and potential rain are not expected until Wednesday.