Wildfires Update: Camp House Fire now 59% contained, Jenkins Creek remains at 6%

By WDIO

The Eastern Area Incident Management (EA IMT) issued another update on the Brimson Complex Fires on Tuesday morning. According to their report, emergency management says the Camp House Fire is now 59% contained and sitting at 12,106 acres. The Jenkins Creek Fire remains at 6% contained.

The EA IMT Said containment lines continue to be built and strengthened around the perimeter of the Camp House Fire.

“Crews and dozers worked around all areas of the fire, either enhancing containment line or finding and extinguishing hot spots,” the EA IMT explained. “Helicopter and Unmanned Aerial Systems (UAS) supported firefighters on the ground to achieve these objectives. Masticator equipment was used along the south end to grind down and remove fallen trees, and will continue through today. All firefighters will be focused on maintaining containment lines and catching any flare-ups with today’s strong and gusty winds.”

Concerning the Jenkins Creek Fire, the EA IMT said that crews have been making good progress in establishing lines around the fire over the previous few days.

“Firefighters assigned to a Structure Protection group established a firefighting plan for Skibo and Hoyt Lakes in case the fire advances in that direction,” said the EA IMT. “This work included adding fuel breaks and setting hose lays vital to slowing fire spread. Crews will continue to work along the entire perimeter of the fire today. More resources will be assigned to the western side of the fire to provide initial attack capabilities in the event of flare-ups triggered by today’s gusty winds.”

The EA IMT held a briefing for the community on the situation at the Jenkins Creek and Camp House wildfires on Monday evening. Community members gathered in the Mesabi East School District High School Auditorium in Aurora to hear from officials.

Click here to watch the full briefing from the Incident Command.

On Monday afternoon, Sheriff Gordon Ramsay shared an update on social media reminding the public that Forest Road 11 is closed.

“There’s been a number of people I know that use that for commuting to and from work,” Ramsay said. “But there is a lot of significant equipment back in there, bulldozers, firefighters, their trucks and four-wheelers and other vehicles that they are using for the fires that are utilizing those roads. Narrowing them, and in some cases, making it difficult to pass.” Sheriff Ramsay said Forest Road 11 will remain closed.

Camp House Fire Quick Facts: 59% Contained; Size: 12,106 acres

Jenkins Creek Fire Quick Facts: 6% Contained; Size: 16,694 acres

The cause of both fires remains under investigation.

EVACUTATIONS:

Additional changes to evacuations levels and road closures were announced by the St. Louis County Sheriff yesterday. Brimson Road is now open to through-traffic. The section of Hwy 44 south from Brimson Road is also open to through-traffic. Hwy 44 north from Brimson Road remains closed to Town Line Road. Additionally, Evacuation Zone 6 was downgraded to “Set” status. Vehicles should avoid stopping anywhere in the evacuation “Go” zones to minimize exposure and risk. Drivers are also asked to take extra caution due to the continued presence of emergency crews, utility crews, and other curious or distracted drivers.

St. Louis County: Situation Map
Lake County: Situation Map

Remember that portions of the Laurentian Ranger District will be closed. Entry to some camp sites and recreational areas will be unavailable to the public. For more information visit https://www.fs.usda.gov/r09/superior/alerts/forest-order-09-09-25-05-brimson-complex-emergency-closure

Crowning at the Munger Shaw fire. (Northland Fire Wire)
Earl Watters / Boomer
A chimney remains. (WDIO)
Burn scars on both sides of the highway. (WDIO)
The remains of a home in the Camp House fire area. (WDIO)
Near Salo Lake in Fairbanks Township (Michael Kapsos)
Burned property Near Salo Lake, Fairbanks Township (Michael Kapsos)
WDIO staff came upon flames burning on the side of the road. (WDIO)
Fire burns Brimson Complex
Water Drops Brimson Complex (WDIO)
Fire burns Brimson Complex
Lakewood Township Fire Department
Fredenberg Volunteer Fire Department
Eveleth Fire Department
Duluth firefighter works to clear a downed tree in the burn area.
(Normanna Fire Department)
(Brimson Area Volunteer Fire Department)
Fighting the fire from the air. (Brimson Area Volunteer Fire Department)
Burn area of the Camp House Fire. (Pequaywan Lake Area Fire Department)
Munger Shaw plume (Cropped, Tori Kilbourn)
Brimson Fire on the ground (WDIO)
Road closures at Hwy 44 and Rollins Road Intersection at Hugo’s Bar. (WDIO)
Road closed Highway 44 and Rollins Road near Hugo’s Bar on Tuesday. (WDIO)
The Camp House fire as seen from Chopper 5 on Monday, May 12.
A cabin can be seen surrounded by smoke from the Camp House fire on Monday, May 12. (Chopper 5)
The Camp Hous fire on May 12 from Chopper 5.
The Camp House fire on Monday, May 12. (Courtesy Chopper 5)
Jenkins fire seen from Palo on the east side of Bodas Road. From Casey Rice.
Jenkins Creek Fires from Skibo Lookout on Tuesday, May 13
A plane drops fire retardant on the Jenkins Creek Fire Monday evening. WDIO
View of the Jenkins Fire from Kayla McFarland.
View of the Camp House fire, one of three large fires burning. (WDIO)
Large plume of smoke can be seen on Highway 44 and Ahola Road on Monday, May 12.
The Jenkins Creek Fire as seen across Cadotte Lake. Photo by Barb Curphy.
Camp House fire burns along Highway 44 near Brimson on Monday. (WDIO)
Smoke can be seen from the corner of Brimson Road and Highway 44 on Monday. (WDIO)
Aerial video from Earl Watters from his CH-47 Chinook named “Boomer” of the active Camp House fire in the Lake and St Louis Counties, Minnesota on Sunday, May 11.