Three wildfires break out in northern Minnesota. Here’s what you need to know.

St. Louis and Lake county officials are evacuating residents near the Camp House fire.

The Minnesota Star Tribune
May 13, 2025 at 6:32PM
Crews work to get fire on the Camp House fire as it grows in size Tuesday near Brimson. (Anthony Souffle/The Minnesota Star Tribune)

Three wildfires continued to burn and grow across St. Louis County north of Duluth on Tuesday, and more than 100 buildings have been impacted, authorities said.

A red-flag warning was in effect across 65 counties in Minnesota Tuesday as hot, dry and windy weather for the third straight day continued to create conditions favorable for wildfires.

A red-flag warning means fires can spread quickly and grow out of control.

Here is what you need to know about the northern Minnesota fires:

An aerial photo of the Camp House fire taken by the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources air attack plane on May 11, 2025. (Minnesota Department of Natural Resources)

Camp House fire

The Camp House fire near Brimson, Minn., was reported Sunday afternoon. St. Louis County Sheriff Gordon Ramsay said in a social media video Tuesday morning that the fire had grown to 12,000 acres, or almost 19 square miles.

More than 80 firefighters are battling the blaze providing protection for threatened structures. Twelve tankers plus aircraft, including two Fire Boss single-engine water scooping planes and two CL-415 super scooper planes along with helicopters, have been dropping water on the fires in an effort to slow the spread, the U.S. Forest Service said.

“Additional resources have been ordered,” the Minnesota Incident Command System said.

The fire was 0% contained as of early Tuesday afternoon, officials said.

Jennings Creek Fire

The Jennings Creek fire was detected Monday and has grown to more than 6,800 acres overnight, or nearly 11 square miles in a remote area of the Superior National Forest southeast of Hoyt Lakes, Minn., according to Inciweb, a fire-tracking website.

More than 20 crew members were using one engine, bulldozers and air support to fight the blaze. The fire growth has been to the north and slight northeast in an area north of County Road 16, east of County Road 110, and west of Cadotte Lake, the Forest Service said.

Chinook Helicopter water drop on Jenkins Creek Fire (U.S. Forest Service)

The town of Skibo is of concern as flames have reached part of Forest Road 120 west of Stone Lake, according to an update the command center

The fire remains completely uncontained.

Sheriff Ramsay said if the Jenkins Creek fire continues to head north, it is in danger of encroaching on more populous areas. The area around the Camp House fire “has been devastated,” he said. “Lots of property loss.”

Munger Shaw Fire

A third fire near Cotton called the Munger Shaw blaze was also reported Monday. The fire was south of Three Lakes Road. That sits at 1,300 acres, and evacuation orders related to it have been lifted.

Officials order evacuations

St. Louis County is evacuating residents near the Camp House fire.

Anybody in an area between Indian lake to Breda Lake are to evacuate to the south for their safety, the St. Louis County Sheriff’s Office said. Evacuees can go to the Friedenberg Township community center at 5104 Fish Lake Road as a temporary evacuation collection point.

“Our hearts are with people who’ve lost homes or cabins,” the Sheriff’s Office said. “Our thanks to the many, many firefighters and responders who continue to work.”

Residents near the Munger Shaw fire in the eastern half of Cotton Township have been allowed back home, but should not let their guard down, Ramsey said. Evacuation orders could be reinstated if the fire becomes a danger again, he said.

The Forest Service said the Cadotte Lake Campground was also evacuated because of its proximity to the Camp House and Jenkins Creek fires.

More evacuation orders will likely be added to the Jenkins Creek fire area.

“This is a fluid situation and people need to stay aware. Flare ups should be expected today,” the St. Louis County Sheriff’s Office said.

In neighboring Lake County, residents and property owners west of Hwy. 2 between the Greenwood Lake boat access on Hwy. 2 and Langley River Road are under an evacuation order.

Walz activates National Guard

Gov. Tim Walz on Monday activated the National Guard to provide emergency assistance as crews fight the Camp House, Jenkins Creek and the Munger Shaw fires.

How did the fires start?

The cause of the three fires have not been determined, according to Inciweb.

What happens now?

Fire suppression efforts will continue Tuesday.

The weather will remain hot and dry Tuesday and Wednesday, meaning “critical fire danger” will remain in place. A chance of storms on Thursday could bring some relief, the National Weather Service said.

about the writers

about the writers

Tim Harlow

Reporter

Tim Harlow covers traffic and transportation issues in the Minneapolis-St. Paul area, and likes to get out of the office, even during rush hour. He also covers the suburbs in northern Hennepin and all of Anoka counties, plus breaking news and weather.

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Jana Hollingsworth

Duluth Reporter

Jana Hollingsworth is a reporter covering a range of topics in Duluth and northeastern Minnesota for the Star Tribune. Sign up to receive the new North Report newsletter.

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