Wildfires Burn Across Northeastern Minnesota

More than a dozen wildfires continue burning across northeastern Minnesota, including several inside the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness.

More than 500 firefighters are battling the blazes as thunderstorms, shifting winds and thousands of lightning strikes threaten to spark additional fires.

Evacuation orders remain in effect in portions of Lake, St. Louis and Cook counties. Some of the largest fires are burning near Winton, along the Echo Trail and inside the Boundary Waters.

Superior National Forest officials are urging people to stay out of closed areas, follow evacuation orders and avoid flying drones near the fires. Drones can force firefighting aircraft to stop operating.

The Forest Service’s latest fact sheet lists 17 active fires—one more than the 16 reported during Friday’s briefing. Superior National Forest fire update