ISABELLA, Minn. — The Greenwood Fire in northern Minnesota is now 67% contained, officials said Sunday.
Officials gave the new containment estimate in an online update Sunday morning. No growth is expected thanks to cooler, more humid weather in the Great Lakes area.
More than 350 personnel are currently fighting the blaze, though that number has been higher than 500 in past days. The fire still covers nearly 42 square miles.
Officials said the fire first started Aug. 15 with a lightning strike about 10 miles southwest of Isabella. On Aug. 23, it destroyed 14 primary structures like homes and cabins and dozens of outbuildings.
The Lake County Sheriff’s Office has opened Highway 2 between Highway 11 and Highway 1 to all traffic, but some closures are still in place:
- Highway 1 is closed from the Highway 1 and Highway 2 intersection to Lankinen Road. Only property owners with passes from the sheriff's office can travel along the highway.
- A Forest Service closure order for the Greenwood Fire extends across the Kawishiwi, Laurentian, and Tofte Ranger Districts.
