Storms ground UAS/drones, as Jenkins Creek Fire is 94% contained Monday
Jenkins Creek Fire. (NIMO) Sunday, June 8
The rain this weekend was much needed across the Northland. According to the National Incident Management Organization (NIMO), the thunderstorms on Sunday grounded the Unmanned Aerial System/drones. In NIMO’s final update on the Jenkins Creek Fire, the wildfire burned 16,145 acres and as of June 9 is at 94% containment.
NIMO says Divisions JJ on the northwestern and western portion of the fire, and NN on the eastern and northeastern section will combined to one division Monday. They will be known as JJNN. The Team continues to work under a full suppression strategy.
The forecast calls for more rain and thunderstorms to move through the area of the fire on Monday. Northwesterly winds behind a low pressure system will bring smoke from the fires in Canada in our area again for Tuesday.
In Monday mornings report, officials say there was no new information regarding new heat registers within the fire perimeter since the UAS/drone night flights were grounded Sunday night. Crews using masticators, equipment used to grind or shred downed vegetation, continue to improve contingency lines along the 420 Road and to the west. North of Lake Cadotte, mulching operations along the Bundle Lake Road are increasing efficiency with crews clearing rocks and debris. NIMO says additional masticators will arrive this week to help along 425 Road and the Bundle Lake Road to the southeast.
The Sherp, A specialized all-terrain vehicle (ATV) called Sherp was successful in tying in the contingency lines between the Canadian Northern Railroad line and the 420J Road along the northwestern perimeter of the fire, according to NIMO.
There are currently 201 fire personnel working at the Jenkins Creek Fire. Crews will continue to monitor and address any sources of heat, and once the UAS is available, the acreage of the fire will be adjusted.
On Sunday, it was announced that the Horse River fire within the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness was 100% contained and management of the Horse Fire was handed back to the Superior National Forest.
RELATED STORY: Weekend thunderstorms help fully contain the Horse River fire
The Minnesota Department of Natural Resources updated their Fire Danger report on Monday morning. With the recent rains, the whole state of Minnesota is listed as low fire danger, and there are no burning restrictions, although a permit is required.
The Jenkins Creek Fire ignited around 11:00 a.m. on Monday, May 12, 2025. It was detected east of County Road 110 and north of County Road 16 near Jenkins Creek, approximately 15 miles southeast of Hoyt Lakes, Minnesota. At one point, the town of Hoyt Lakes were told to be ready to evacuate.
The Jenkins Creek Fire was one of three fires that started roughly at the same time. The Camp House Fire started on May 11 and the Munger Shaw Road Fire on May 12.