Jenkins Creek Fire containment growing; Skibo residents can return home

DULUTH, Minn. & BRIMSON, Minn. – The Jenkins Creek Fire is now 47% contained.

Brimson Complex Fire Lines as of May 23, 2025

The containment lines released by the Eastern Area Incident Management Team now show most of the Northwest side and Southeast side of the fire contained.

The containment line is now next to Skibo.  Crews had been working for days to establish that containment line.

The fire has burned 16,781-acres, with 271 people fighting it.

With the progress being made, many pieces of the heavy equipment have completed their assignments and are being demobilized.

The heavy equipment that is still working is “Mastication equipment” which chops up large, woody debris to reduce fuel.  It also helps support long-term forest health.

Eastern Area Incident Management Team says on Friday (5/25), “firefighters will focus on identifying gaps and completing the remaining sections of the construction to close the perimeter fully. Infrared (IR) technology helped detect and extinguish smoldering materials not visible to the naked eye, strengthening existing containment lines and reducing the risk of flare-ups.”

Skibo are now allowed to return to their property.

Skibo Road will remain closed to all other traffic.

Highway r4 and CR-110/FH-11 have reopened to through traffic.

The Camp House Fire is still at 90% contained.

Eastern Area Incident Management Team says, “A full suppression strategy remains in place for firefighters and support staff working on the Camp House Fire.”

Crews are patrolling and searching for remaining smoldering hotspots near the containment lines.

They also started on suppression repairs which are essential for helping the land recover more quickly, especially in areas where bulldozers and other equipment were used to prevent fire growth.  Suppression repair includes tasks like restoring natural drainage, stabilizing soil, and reducing the long-term impact of firefighting operations.