Progress continues on wildfires, roads reopening and changes to evacuation statuses

By WDIO

The Eastern Area Incident Management (EA IMT) issued another update on the Brimson Complex Fires on Wednesday morning. According to their report, emergency management says the Camp House Fire is now 73% contained and sitting at 12,072 acres. The Jenkins Creek Fire have also improved to 13% contained at 16,748 acres.

The EA IMT Said containment lines continue hold despite strong winds

“Overnight precipitation continued to aid in cooling the fire,” explained the EA IMT. “Two hotshot crews will continue to work in some of the more challenging terrain to finish connecting portions of the containment line. Other crews will begin moving deeper into the interior from the southern end of the fire to find and put out any smoldering areas inside the containment line. The fire initially started on private land and moved into national forest system lands, and a Forest closure is still in effect.”

The containment line has also held with the Jenkins Creek Fire.

“Unmanned Aerial Systems (UAS) flew five flights during breaks in the wind, detecting areas with heat that were then attacked by ground crews,” further explained the EA IMT. “Today, additional firefighters will be moved from the Camp House Fire to the Jenkins Fire to make a push to connect existing containment lines. The heavy equipment that was working along the southern edge of the fire to masticate (chop up) large fallen debris into wood chips will progress north today. The debris that is chipped up will not burn as hot should fire reach the wood chippings. Over time, the woody chip debris will decompose quicker. While the initial investigation into the Jenkins Creek Fire indicates the fire is related to a human cause, the investigation is ongoing.”

Camp House Fire Quick Facts: 73% Contained; Size: 12,071 acres

Jenkins Creek Fire Quick Facts: 13% Contained; Size: 16,748 acres

Both fires are still being investigated, but authorities now believe that the Jenkins Creek fire has human caused.

EVACUTATIONS AND ROAD CLOSURES:

Conditions have improved enough that 13 evacuation zones that had been on “Go” status are being improved to “Set” status (zones 1-5, 9-12, and 17-20). Nine zones that had been on “Set” status are being improved to “Ready” status. (6-8, 13-16, 21-22).

Please check the evacuation map if you’re not sure which zone you’re in.

Hwy-44 and CR-110/FH-11 are reopening to through-traffic. Skibo Road and Forest Road 113 will remain closed eastbound from CR-110/FH-11. Bundle Lake Road is closed northbound from Hwy-16/Town Line Rd. Property owners are urged to take extra caution in the area. Be aware that the burned areas may still show smoke from various stumps and debris – this is not of concern when inside the already burned area.

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

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.