Latest news with #MungerShawFire
Yahoo
22-05-2025
- Climate
- Yahoo
Jenkins Creek Fire was human-caused, initial investigation shows
May 21—BRIMSON, Minn. — The largest of the wildfires burning in St. Louis County was likely caused by people. In an update Wednesday, May 21, the Eastern Area Incident Management Team said the initial investigation into the nearly 17,000-acre Jenkins Creek Fire, which started May 12, shows "the fire is related to a human cause." The update noted the investigation is ongoing. The causes of the 12,000-acre Camp House Fire and 1,259-acre Munger Shaw Fire remain "undetermined," according to the Wildfire Incident Information System. Meanwhile, several evacuation orders are being lifted. In St. Louis County, 13 evacuation zones in "go" status were improved to "set" status Tuesday, the sheriff's office reported on Facebook. St. Louis County Highway 33 and County Road 110/Forest Highway 11 also reopened to traffic at 8 a.m. Wednesday. "Property owners are urged to take extra caution in the area," the sheriff's office said in a Facebook post Tuesday night. "Be aware that the burned areas may still show smoke from various stumps and debris — this is not of concern when inside the already burned area. However, if smoke or flames are found outside the already burned area or anywhere it is clearly a hazard, please call 911." In Lake County, the only active evacuation zone remaining is the Murphy Lake Road area, Matt Pollmann, the county's emergency management director, said in a Facebook video Tuesday night. "Containment is over 40%, so they are feeling confident with the Camp House Fire," he said. Significant progress was made in containing the perimeter of the Camp House Fire to 73%, the Eastern Area Complex Incident Management Team reported Wednesday morning. * Started: May 12 * Acres: 16,748 * Location: 15 miles southeast of Hoyt Lakes * Cause: Human-caused * Resources: 223 * Containment: 13% * Eastern Area Complex Incident Management Team notes: "Fire: Crews held line around the fire despite the strong, gusting winds. Unmanned Aerial Systems flew five flights during breaks in the wind, detecting areas with heat that were then attacked by ground crews. Today, additional firefighters will be moved from the Camp House Fire to the Jenkins Fire to make a push to connect existing containment lines. The heavy equipment that was working along the southern edge of the fire to masticate (chop up) large fallen debris into wood chips will progress north today. The debris that is chipped up will not burn as hot should fire reach the wood chippings. Over time, the woody chip debris will decompose quicker." * Started: May 11 * Acres: 12,071 * Location: 2 miles northeast of Brimson * Cause: Under investigation * Resources: 365 personnel * Containment: 73% * Eastern Area Complex Incident Management Team notes: "Firefighters' steady effort in battling the Camp House Fire over the past week paid off as all existing lines held despite strong winds from the east. Overnight precipitation continued to aid in cooling the fire. Two hotshot crews will continue to work in some of the more challenging terrain to finish connecting portions of the containment line. Other crews will begin moving deeper into the interior from the southern end of the fire to find and put out any smoldering areas inside the containment line. The fire initially started on private land and moved into national forest system lands, and a Forest closure is still in effect." * Started: May 12 * Acres: 1,259 * Location: Southeast of Cotton * Cause: Under investigation * Resources: 9 personnel * Containment: 95% * Cloquet Area DNR Forestry notes: Firefighters are patrolling the area and mopping up isolated hotspots. No fire growth is expected, although high winds are a concern. The Wednesday forecast for the Brimson and Two Harbors area calls for mostly cloudy skies and a high near 56 degrees, with an east wind around 15 mph, gusting as high as 30 mph, the National Weather Service in Duluth reported. A gale warning was in effect Wednesday until 1 p.m. for the North Shore from Two Harbors to Duluth. A frost advisory was in effect from 1 to 9 a.m. Thursday for St. Louis and Lake counties, the NWS said. Temperatures could drop as low as 31 degrees. The forecast for Thursday is sunny, with a high near 65 degrees and a northeast wind around 5 mph. St. Louis and Lake counties will contact residents in their respective counties if they need to evacuate. * St. Louis County's "ready, set, go!" evacuation zone map denotes evacuation status in yellow, orange and red, along with recommended plans to protect residents and their property. * Lake County's "ready, set, go!" evacuation zone map denotes evacuation status in yellow, orange and red, along with recommended plans to protect residents and their property. Evacuation centers are no longer in operation. U.S. Forest Service hotline: 218-206-6805 United Way of Northeastern Minnesota For residents impacted in St. Louis County. It is working to establish a wildfire recovery fund. Immediate assistance is offered through its Comforts of Home program, which replaces lost items with referrals from agencies like the Red Cross and St. Louis County. All proceeds go to impacted community members. * Donate online: * Donate via mail: United Way of Northeastern Minnesota, 608 East Drive, Chisholm, MN 55719. Head of the Lakes United Way For residents impacted in Lake County. All proceeds go to impacted community members. * Donate online: * Donate via mail: Head of the Lakes United Way, 314 W. Superior St. #750, Duluth, MN 55802; include a note indicating "wildfire relief."
CBS News
20-05-2025
- Climate
- CBS News
Wildfire-stricken Minnesota communities rally as blazes sustain 1 week on
Cool weather has provided a boost to crews fighting the wildfires in northeastern Minnesota. But after more than a week since the fires began, the fight is far from over. The two largest wildfires — the Jenkins Creek and Camp House fires — are still blazing, and St. Louis County is now in a state of emergency and disaster. St. Louis County is also among several northeastern counties under a red flag warning until Tuesday night due to "strong winds and low humidity levels," according to the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources. The Jenkins Creek and Camp House fires finally have some containment — 6% and 40%, respectively — while the Munger Shaw Fire is almost fully contained, according to the Eastern Area Incident Management Team. Overall, more than 30,000 acres have been scorched in the northland, and more than 150 buildings have been destroyed. As the two largest fires rage on near Brimson, the community gathered on Monday evening at Aurora-Hoyt Senior High School. With so much uncertainty, it was an opportunity for displaced people and those in evacuation zones to get some clarity. "On the map they kind of showed us where they're at and how they do things and the progress they've made and the factors that play into that, because to be honest, I had no idea about fires or how you fight them or anything," said Brad Engstrom, of Hoyt Lakes. Some homeowners evacuated from the Camp House Fire were allowed to return to their properties, but with a warning they may have to leave again. "Get people to stand in front of the maps, show us where your property's at, talk about what's going on and answer questions directly and try to get them the help that they need," said Micah Bell, of the Eastern Area Incident Management Team. Meanwhile, businesses up north are banding together to support the hundreds of firefighters putting in long hours. Competitors are even joining forces to help feed crews on the front lines and behind the scenes. Businesses are joining forces to help feed crews on the front lines and behind the scenes. One market has delivered more than 750 box lunches, while a barbecue restaurant has served 300 firefighters. "They were looking for caterers to do it. Of course we said yes. I'll be honest, I like started tearing up, it was awesome," said Paul Sapyta, owner of Room at the Table Catering. "They were like, 'No one has ever done this.' And it was really, really cool to hear that and get closer to my competitors." How you can help Donations to support relief for Lake County community members can be made online through the Head of the Lakes United Way. Donations can also be mailed to Head of the Lakes United Way (please note it's for wildfire relief): 314 W. Superior St. #750, Duluth, MN 55802. Donations to support relief for St. Louis County community members can be made online through the United Way Northeastern Minnesota.
Yahoo
16-05-2025
- Climate
- Yahoo
Evacuation order lifted for 1 of 3 wildfires in northern Minnesota
Residents living in the vicinity of one of three wildfires burning in St. Louis County have been told they can return home. The evacuation order was lifted for areas around the 1,600-acre Munger Shaw Fire, with the news confirmed on Thursday evening by St. Louis County Sheriff Gordon Ramsey. "It was lifted earlier this evening due to the more favorable weather conditions and successful work on preventing further spread, residents have been allowed to return to their properties beginning earlier tonight," Ramsey said. The fire is now considered 25% contained, according to a Friday update from the Minnesota Incident Command System. "I'm happy to report the Munger Shaw Fire was much better than it was the last few nights, and hopefully with the rain we received this evening we can take that one off the list," he added. "Residents will be able to come and go as they need." The storms that passed through northern Minnesota on Thursday evening dropped around three-quarters of an inch of rain in parts of the Iron Range, bringing much-needed relief to the dry conditions that helped fuel the fire. But the winds that preceded it caused significant concern for responders particularly those fighting the 15,000-acre Jenkins Creek Fire, which Ramsey said "did continue to expand" on Thursday. This expansion prompted changes to the evacuation zones, moving the City of Hoyt Lakes into the second-highest alert – "SET" – which recommends residents be prepared to evacuate if needed. "We had some worries this afternoon when that wind really picked up," Ramsey said. "The heavy wind was gusting to the 30s as the storm moved in, and we we heard there was a gust of 74mph in Hovland. "We were really concerned about that fire and what was happening with it, however the rain came and diminished the worries significantly for tonight (Thursday)." While evacuation zones are still in effect for the Jenkins Creek and Camp House fires, authorities said residents would be allowed to return to their homes temporarily during the day on Friday provided they check in with officials at Hugo's Bar in Brimson. They must be out of the homes by 8 p.m. BMTN Note: Weather events in isolation can't always be pinned on climate change, but the broader trend of increasingly severe weather and record-breaking extremes seen in Minnesota and across the globe can be attributed directly to the rapidly warming climate caused by human activity. The IPCC has warned that Earth is "firmly on track toward an unlivable world," and says greenhouse gas emissions must be halved by 2030 in order to limit warming to 1.5C, which would prevent the most catastrophic effects on humankind. You can read more here.
CBS News
14-05-2025
- Climate
- CBS News
Minnesota wildfire interactive maps show how far infernos have spread
Three massive, out of control wildfires continue to rage north of Duluth in northeastern Minnesota, as near critical fire weather conditions continue to plague the region, according to the National Weather Service. Crews are also battling massive wildfires just north of Minnesota in Canada's Manitoba and Ontario provinces. As of Wednesday morning, the Wildland Fire Application Information Portal reports the fires have spread across about 37,000 acres: The Eastern Area Complex Incident Team announced on Wednesday that its taken command of both the Jenkins Creek and Camp House fires, managing the two as the "Brimson Complex." Below are interactive maps with continuously updated information from the National Interagency Fire Center. The Jenkins Creek Fire The Jenkins Creek Fire, which tripled in size between Tuesday night and Wednesday morning, is centered about 60 miles north of Duluth near Hoyt Lakes, just northwest of the Camp House Fire. The Camp House Road Fire The Camp House Road Fire was first reported on Sunday afternoon about 45 miles northeast of Duluth. It has since destroyed dozens of structures, cabins and homes, according to the St. Louis County Sheriff's Office. The Munger Shaw Fire First reported on Monday afternoon, the Munger Shaw Fire has spread to 1,300 acres. How you can help If you want to help the crews fighting the wildfires and the people being evacuated, you can send donations to the Wildland Fire Foundation.
New York Post
14-05-2025
- Climate
- New York Post
Raging Minnesota wildfires destroy over 140 buildings, impact air quality
ST. LOUIS COUNTY, Minn. – Relentless wildfires have continued to rapidly grow across parts of northeastern Minnesota north of Lake Superior, destroying at least 144 homes and buildings, after days of unseasonably high temperatures and low humidity. Temperatures will finally cool Wednesday ahead of much-needed rain moving into the area Thursday. A trio of fires burning in St. Louis and Lake counties have scorched tens of thousands of acres, and evacuations remain in effect. Advertisement Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz activated the state's National Guard on Monday to help with fire suppression. Air quality alert issued due to wildfires The Minnesota Pollution Control Agency has extended an Air Quality Alert for most of northeastern Minnesota through Wednesday. The Jenkins Creek fire has now engulfed more than 20,500 acres and remains uncontained. The fire had consumed an undetermined number of buildings as of Tuesday evening. The St. Louis County Sheriff said in a social media post that it was too active to determine an accurate number. 6 Smoke coming from the Camp House Fire near Brimson, Minn. on May 13, 2025. Anthony Souffle/Star Tribune via AP Advertisement 6 A house in Minnesota surrounded by the wildfire. FOX News The Camp House Fire, also known as the Brimson Fire, jumped to nearly 15,000 acres. Local officials said that the fire has consumed 146 buildings and counting, mostly along Highway 44, which has been shut down in some places. That fire remains uncontained as well. A third fire in the area, the Munger Shaw Fire, also called the Three Lakes Fire, has burned 1,700 acres, according to the Sheriff's Office. Buildings have also been destroyed in the Munger Shaw Fire, but the sheriff said the number is undetermined. Fire Weather Warnings were posted for most of Minnesota outside of Minneapolis, as well as the eastern half of the Dakotas on Tuesday. Advertisement 6 Crews working to extinguish the Camp House fire. Anthony Souffle/Star Tribune via AP Damaging winds likely Wednesday across northern Plains It will be a busy several days for western Minnesota and the northern Plains as wildfire relief will come in the form of severe weather and a flash flood threat. According to the FOX Forecast Center, the heat will depart Wednesday afternoon, as a strong upper-level disturbance emerges from the West. This disturbance will set the stage for a severe weather event across parts of the Midwest from late Thursday into Thursday night. 6 A helicopter dumping water on the Camp House Fire outside of Brimson. Anthony Souffle/Star Tribune via AP Advertisement Severe storms are forecast to develop by Wednesday evening, bringing rain and strong wind gusts as the primary threat. The most meaningful rain will be to the west of the areas currently battling wildfires, but showers and thunderstorms will still bring some overall relief to the region. NOAA's Storm Prediction Center has issued a Level 2 out of 4 risk of severe thunderstorms for an area covering parts of the central Dakotas and into central Nebraska on Wednesday and Wednesday night. 6 This graphic shows the severe weather threat for Wednesday, May 14, 2025. Fox Weather 6 This graphic shows the expected rain for the Northern Tier through Friday, May 16, 2025. FOX Weather Flood threat expands into eastern Dakotas, Minnesota by Thursday The backside of the cold front that will bring severe storms will also provide much-needed rain to areas being scorched by wildfires, beginning Wednesday. A prolonged period of moderate rain is expected, but a corridor of heavier rain is expected to shift into eastern North Dakota and northern Minnesota by Thursday. NOAA's Weather Prediction Center has issued a Level 1 out of 4 flash flood threat covering Wednesday and Thursday for parts of North and South Dakota.
