Weather

NIMO Takes Command as Jenkins Creek and Horse River Fires Persist in Minnesota

BRIMSON, Minn. — On Wednesday, the National Incident Management Organization (NIMO) assumed command of both the Jenkins Creek and Horse River Fires. Jenkins Creek fire in the distance. Camp House fire in the forefront. The Jenkins Creek Fire is still 84% contained and is has burned 16,089 acres. Unstaffed Aerial System (UAS/drone) flights detected multiple heat sources in the south…

Main federal team battling Brimson Fire Complex to soon leave

DULUTH, Minn. & BRIMSON, Minn. – The Jenkins Creek Fire is now 84% contained.  It has burned 16,089 acres north from the Fairbanks-area to well past Skibo. The portion that is not contained is the northeast edge, burning away from the most inhabited areas. Brimson Fire Complex Crews are focusing on mop-up and patrol, hazard tree removal, log hauling, and…

More Progress on Jenkins Creek Fire; Superior National Forest Ordered to Close

BRIMSON, Minn. — Over the weekend, firefighters battling the Jenkins Creek Fire were able to grow containment lines. The fire is now 78% contained. Brimson Complex Fire Lines as of May 26, 2025 The Eastern Area Incident Management Team saying fire activity is minimal on the Jenkins Creek Fire. Fire crews are continuing to patrol and monitor the area while…

Friday Evening Northland Forecast: 5/23/2025

A Chilly Friday Night

We have already had some warm weather in May. But this weekend will not feel like it. We have a Frost Advisory for the entire viewing area tonight; Minnesota, Wisconsin, and the U.P. of Michigan. We will see lows down toward 30 degrees in some low spots, and some upper 20s aren’t out of the question, either. Even tomorrow night…

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…

Containment increases for big fires; Some evacuations lifted

DULUTH, Minn. – The Camp House Fire burning near Brimson is now 73% contained.  It has burned 12,071 acres. Firefighters navigate a severely burned area at the site of an old sawmill near Brimson, Minnesota, close to the intersection of Brimson and Breda roads. Crews sift through thick layers of sawdust and debris, checking for residual heat and extinguishing hotspots….

Governor Walz declares peacetime emergency from wildfires

Lingering smoke drifts through fire-damaged timber as crews continue work along a dozer line on the Brimson Complex, May 2025. Hazardous snags and smoldering fuels remain a concern as containment efforts progress. DULUTH & ST. PAUL, Minn. – Governor Tim Walz on May 20, 2025 declared a peacetime emergency in response to wildfires in Northeast Minnesota. This follows St. Louis…

Containment Continues Around Camp House Fire; Jenkins Creek Fire Stalls

  ST. LOUIS COUNTY, Minn. — In the last day containment around the Camp House fire grew from 40% to 59%. There are now four containment lines targeting the fire from all sides protecting the area south of Bassett, area north of Brimson, and areas to the east of Hornby and Breda. These lines were strengthened in preparation of Tuesday’s…

Some containment announced for all major fires in Minnesota

Brimson Complex firefighters construct handline on May 18, 2025. DULUTH, Minn. – The Jenkins Creek Fire is now 6% contained with 199 people fighting the blaze. It was the last of the major fires to reach any level of containment.  The containment lines established are in the corner of the fire facing towards Fairbanks. With drier and gustier weather predicted, protection of…

Minnesota State Leaders Survey Damage From Wildfires

BRIMSON, Minn. –Minnesota Governor Tim Walz and U.S. Senators Amy Klobuchar and Tina Smith visited the Camp House fire zone to take in the carnage firsthand. The group first visited the Incident Command Center at the Lake County Fairgrounds in Two Harbors, and met with teams responding to the fires. Governor Walz thanked the crews and volunteers, and shared his…

Burn area acreage reduced

Smoke from the Camp House Fire seen above the trees along Highway 16 near Highway 44. DULUTH, Minn. – As of Thursday morning (5/1/2025), the burning area of the Brimson Complex wildfire (Camp House/Jenkins combined) has changed due to drone mapping. The Camp House fire’s burning estimate is 14,979 acres and the Jenkins Creek fire estimate is 15,571 acres. The…

Air quality alert extended for northeast Minnesota

Photo CourtesyMinnesota National Guard DULUTH, Minn. – The Minnesota Pollution Control Agency (MPCA) has extended an air quality alert for northeast Minnesota until 4 p.m. on Thursday, May 15. The Camp House and Jenkins Creek fires in the Superior National Forest remain active and will continue to produce heavy ground-level smoke through Thursday. The affected area includes International Falls, Hibbing,…

Superior National Forest Closing Areas Around Brimson Due To Fire

Superior National Forest Brimson Complex Fire Area Closure DULUTH, Minn. – Due to the Brimson Complex fires (Camp House & Jenkins Creek fires) on the Superior National Forest (SNF) is closing a portion of the Laurentian Ranger District. Forest Supervisor Tom Hall elected to close visitor entry at campsites, recreation sites, trails, roads and lakes. The areas including range from near…

140 Structures Destroyed In Camp House Fire

Camp House Fire Damage BRIMSON, Minn. – The St. Louis County Sheriff’s Office say, as of Tuesday afternoon, “approximately 140 structures” have been destroyed in the Camp House wildfire. The fire has spread to more than 12,000 acres. The road closure on Hwy 44 from Rollins Road (Hugo’s Bar) to Townline Road is still in effect. Sheriff’s deputies and the…

Regional Group To Take Over Minnesota Wildfire Fighting

DULUTH, Minn. – State and local fire teams have been leading the battle against the Camp House and Jenkins Creek fires since they broke out on Sunday and Monday respectively. Jenkins Creek fire in the distance. Camp House fire in the forefront. That will change the morning of Wednesday, May 14. The Eastern Area Complex Incident Management Team will assume…

80 Wildfires Around Minnesota

DULUTH, Minn. – The Minnesota Interagency Fire Center in a news release says since Sunday (May 11), firefighters have responded to approximately 80 wildfires throughout Minnesota. Camp House Fire Monday (FOX 9) Three big wildfires are burning in Northeast Minnesota. As of Tuesday morning the information on the fires include: Camp House Fire Developed May 11, 2025. Currently 11,778  acres…

Sheriff: 40-Plus Structures Destroyed In ‘Camp House’ Fire Near Brimson

As Tuesday morning, there were no reports of injuries of fatalities in the three active wildfires in St. Louis County.

CAMP HOUSE FIRE: Camp House Fire Monday (FOX 9) One day after a massive wildfire erupted near Brimson, officials reported Monday night that at least 40 structures had been destroyed by the Camp House wildfire. The St. Louis County Sheriff’s Office made that announcement about the losses in a news release around 10:30 p.m. The Camp House fire grew to…

Air Quality Alert Due To Wildfires In Northeast Minnesota

Air quality alert issued due to wildfire smoke for Monday, May 12, through Tuesday, May 13, for northeast Minnesota  

DULUTH, Minn. – The Minnesota Pollution Control Agency (MPCA) has issued an air quality alert for northeast Minnesota due to the wildfires in the area. Air Quality Alert (May 12 – May 13, 2025) Air quality is expected to reach the orange AQI category or worse. Orange is unhealthy for sensitive groups. Ely is in the middle of the Purple zone…