St. Louis County wildfire triples in size, destroys homes, as state under red-flag warning

DULUTH – A wildfire fueled by hot and dry conditions and high winds about an hour north of Duluth has tripled in size and remains out of control Monday.

The Camp House Fire near Brimson, Minn., was detected Sunday shortly after 1 p.m., prompting evacuations of dozens.

The Minnesota Interagency Fire Center said Monday morning that the fire remained at about 1 square mile, or 750 acres. It was burning through large stands of spruce budworm-infested forest, the agency said. Such infestations also worsened the 2021 Greenwood Fire near Isabella, Minn.

The battle continues as nearly the entire state is under a red-flag warning for critical fire conditions. Temperatures in the 80s with gusty winds are expected in much of northeast Minnesota.

The wildfire operations supervisor for the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources said Friday that the state brought in extra resources from outstate because of the “critical” fire danger.

Two helicopters that can lay down water, a dozen engines and a bulldozer have been brought in from other states to help if needed, William Glesener said. The tankers will anchor in Brainerd and Ely as part of preparation by the Minnesota Interagency Fire Center in Grand Rapids, which coordinates multiple state and federal agencies.

Glesener said the U.S. Forest Service likely was bringing in extra firefighting units just in case.

“The potential is there for large fire growth across the state,” he added.

At about 1:15 p.m. Sunday, several fire departments were sent to the 2200 block of Hwy. 44 in Ault Township on a report of a wildfire spreading to the northeast. More than 50 houses and cabins have been evacuated and at least three houses have been destroyed by fire, the St. Louis County Sheriff’s Office said Monday. Evacuation orders remain.

Brad Nelson owns a farm and properties on George Lake, and his family is among the evacuees. He was driving an all-terrain vehicle through his farm property Sunday afternoon when he spotted thick smoke billowing a few blocks away.

He reported the fire, he said, but “it had already gotten out of hand.”

“They were perfect conditions: Gusts of up to 35 miles per hour, low humidity. It couldn’t have been worse,” Nelson said.

Several aircraft worked to dump water on the fire throughout the day, and authorities knocked on doors to ensure residents left, Nelson said.

Firefighters Monday are trying to protect buildings as they work to contain the fire.

There are so far no known injuries. The Ault Town Hall building was open for people to receive information and assistance.

The cause of the fire remains under investigation, but Nelson said it likely stemmed from a nearby property where someone was burning brush.

Bob Timmons of the Minnesota Star Tribune contributed to this story.