CARLTON COUNTY, Minn. — Crews are back on the scene of a wildfire in northern Minnesota to finish the job they started Monday night when flames blacked dozens of acres and threatened a number of homes.
A team of federal wildfire specialists is joining state, local and tribal teams to put down the blaze, which was reported to Carlton County dispatchers just before 5:30 p.m. Monday. Firefighters were sent to an area near County Road 8 and County Road 11 in Barnum Township and encountered a wildfire that was spreading quickly, with flames two to four feet high.
Sheriff's officials say the wildfire quickly grew from an acre to five, then 10, and ultimately more than 40 acres. A number of property owners were notified of the approaching fire and regularly updated in case they needed to evacuate.
A water-dropping helicopter from the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources (DNR) was called in to assist, and with multiple fire departments on the ground the wildfire was brought "under control" but not extinguished.
A press release from the Minnesota Incident Command System (MNICS) describes the fire as "active" as of Tuesday morning, with homes and buildings threatened. MNICS says water-dropping aircraft have been recalled to support fire suppression efforts. A this time, no evacuations have been ordered and no road closures are in effect in the area.
The cause of the fire remains under investigation.
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