As the Jenkins Creek, Camp House and Munger Shaw fires blazed through the weekend, firefighters reported success on all three fronts.
In particular, the Minnesota Interagency Command Team A noted Saturday evening that the Munger Shaw fire is 75% contained. According to a news release from Eastern Area Incident Management Team issued on Sunday, the Camp House Fire was listed as 31% contained.
Nathan Thom, assistant wildlife manager with the Brainerd office of the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources rides in the passenger seat while Evan Duchow, wildlife technician with the Aitkin office of the Minnesota DNR droves a Marsh Master amphibious track vehicle onto Munger Shaw Road in Cotton while helping with the Munger Shaw fire on Friday, May 16, 2025. (Dan Williamson / Duluth Media Group)
The Jenkins Creek Fire was still zero percent contained at last report. Firefighting efforts and rainy weather have combined to prevent all the fires from spreading over the weekend. However, crews are preparing for the return of drier and gustier conditions in the coming week.
A community meeting has been scheduled for Monday at 6 p.m. at the auditorium at Mesabi East High School in Aurora. Representatives for the Eastern Area Incident Management Team, the U.S. Forest Service, Minnesota Department of Natural Resources and St. Louis County Sheriff’s Department will give status updates on the fires and related closures and evacuations. A link will also be provided for online viewing.
A vehicle and building destroyed by the Camp House Fire along County Hwy 44, as seen Thursday, May 15, 2025. (Wyatt Buckner / Duluth Media Group)
St. Louis County has rescinded the evacuation order for the Munger Shaw Fire only.
On Friday, during a Facebook video update, St. Louis County Sheriff Gordon Ramsay said he spent some time at the checkpoint where homeowners returned to check on their homes and properties.
“It was very sad to meet and talk with those who had lost their houses,” Ramsay said.
Several elected officials visited the area Friday to survey the damage caused by the fires so far, including Gov. Tim Walz, U.S. Sens. Amy Klobuchar and Tina Smith, U.S. Rep. Pete Stauber, state Sen. Grant Hauschild and state Rep. Natalie Zeleznikar.
“The fires across northern Minnesota have forced families to evacuate and caused severe damage,” Walz said. “My thoughts are with those who have had to leave everything behind, and I extend my deepest gratitude to the wildland firefighters, first responders, volunteers, and emergency management officials who are working around the clock to contain these fires. The state is ready and committed to do everything in our power to respond to and suppress these fires and others across the state, and help impacted communities rebuild.”
Laura Kimmes, of Cotton, stops to offer thanks to Dave Snetsinger, of Naytahwaush, Minnesota, and all of the crew members battling the Munger Shaw Fire on Friday, May 16, 2025. Kimes was returning to her home nearby for the first time since being evacuated. (Dan Williamson / Duluth Media Group)
Weather forecast
A low-pressure system will pass by to the south with high pressure in Canada, leading to a prolonged period of east to northeast winds, the National Weather Service in Duluth reported Sunday. “Near-critical fire weather conditions will be possible,” the weather service said, with minimum relative humidity values from between 15% and 25%. Winds on Monday are expected to be 5-15 mph, gusting to up to 32 mph in places.
How you can help
Related Articles
Suicide rate in Minnesota for 2024 similar to ’23
St. Paul Police Department cites most distracted drivers — by a long shot — in state campaign
Free steelhead identification decals help Lake Superior anglers avoid keeping protected fish
Lake of the Woods, Rainy River deliver walleyes on Minnesota fishing opener
Ely team helps fight northern Minnesota wildfires from the sky
For residents impacted in St. Louis County, United Way of Northeastern Minnesota is working to establish a wildfire recovery fund. Immediate assistance is offered through its Comforts of Home program, which replaces lost items with referrals from agencies like the Red Cross and St. Louis County. All proceeds go to impacted community members.
Donate online at unitedwaynemn.org/firehelp.
For residents impacted in Lake County, Head of the Lakes United Way is sending donations to impacted community members.
Donate online at hlunitedway.harnessgiving.org/campaigns/18236.
Leave a Reply