MN state leaders surveying damage after days of historic wildfires

MN state leaders address wildfire damage [RAW]

Minnesota Governor Tim Walz, Senator Tina Smith and Senator Klobuchar arrived in northern Minnesota on Friday morning to survey wildfire damage.

ST. LOUIS COUNTY, Minn. (FOX 9) - Minnesota Governor Tim Walz and other state leaders spoke to reporters live from northern Minnesota on wildfire damage as uncontrolled blazes continue to burn thousands of acres.

Raw footage of that news conference can be viewed above.

Walz, Klobuchar and Smith speak on Minnesota Wildfires

What they're saying:

Gov. Walz said, "We have neighbors who have lost their homes and their property, and this fire is still, at this point in time, while being managed, is still very much uncontained. If you're hearing it, the sound that everyone wanted to hear was the sound of rain on the roof up here, but as these experts will tell you, that basically just gives a little bit of reprieve to get ready to go again. This is going to be a fight over the coming days and potentially weeks as these fires are brought under control."

"I have never been happier for rain in my life," said Sen. Amy Klobuchar. "Our firefighters and first responders have just done incredible work here."

Sen. Klobuchar then spoke about the FEMA grant that contributed to fighting the wildfires.

"We came up today to hear firsthand what is happening with fighting this fire, to survey the damage ourselves and be really clear that we're ready to do everything to help respond to this fire, and then also, as the governor and the senator said, to help these communities recover once the fire is put out," said Sen. Tina Smith.

Overview of wildfires

Wildfires continue to burn in northern Minnesota

Crews are working around the clock trying to get a handle on the Brimson Complex wildfires in northern Minnesota, while evacuation orders remain in place.

Big picture view:

Fire crews are battling the Munger Shaw fire and the Brimsom Complex fires – the Camp House and Jenkins Creek fires – which have burned over 37,000 acres combined. More than 150 structures have also been destroyed.

Rain is expected to continue falling throughout the afternoon and could redevelop between 7 p.m. and 1 a.m.

Munger Shaw Fire

Dig deeper:

Firefighters said in an update shared on Friday, May 16, that they made progress in containing 25% of the fire.

Crews reportedly used an amphibious tracked vehicle to access wetlands that previously could not be reached.

The plan is for fire crews to reinforce existing containment lines and mop up.

Evacuations and road closures have been rescinded for the Munger Shaw Fire, but not for the Camp House or Jenkins Creek fires.

Camp House Fire

Dig deeper:

While the Camp House Fire is still 0% contained, crews have established a containment line on the south and west of the fire, according to an update from the Eastern Area Incident Management Team.

They are also making "a concerted effort" to protect the communications tower east of Bassett Lake and are considering establishing structure protection near Fairbanks.

The fire was reportedly fueled by a mixed forest vegetation and spruce budworm-infested forest sands. The dead and distressed balsam and aspen are a hazard for firefighters because they are "prone to ignition," according to officials.

"Hot Shot" crews have also been deployed to the area.

As of Friday morning, the fire had not grown and the reduction in reported burned acreage is the result of updated scans from infrared reconnaissance flights.

Jenkins Creek Fire

Dig deeper:

Thursday night storms have mitigated some of the extreme fire behavior that was fueled by hot and windy weather earlier this week.

Firefighters say their main priority is to protect the Skibo and Hoyt Lake communities.

Crews are still assessing fire suppression control-line locations, with many extending and connecting lines that are already developed.

"Hot Shot" crews have also been deployed to the area.

The reduction in reported burned acreage is the result of updated scans from infrared reconnaissance flights.

Evacuations and road closures

Local perspective:

The St. Louis County Sheriff's Office said it is temporarily allowing property owners into evacuation zones of Jenkins Creek and Camp House fires until 8 p.m. on Friday.

Anyone entering must check-in with deputies who are staged at Hugo's Bar for the Camp House area or at County Road 16 and Forest Highway 11 for the Jenkins Creek area.

Authorities say those entering must be prepared to provide identification and proof of property ownership to deputies. They must also check out with deputies after leaving the evacuation zone.

The evacuation centers at the Fredenberg Community Center and Old School Lives are now closed.

Anyone seeking resources is asked to call 211.

St. Louis County authorities have closed eastbound Highway 16 at Camp 26 Trail Track and County Highway 44 is closed to northbound traffic, but Highway 55 is still open.

Eastbound Highway 16 and southbound Brimson-Toimi Road/6205 Road are closed at that intersection.

Westbound Highway 16 at County Highway 2, County Road 110 (Highway 11), is closed outside Hoyt Lakes at the Moose Line.

The Eastbound Forest Route is also closed at the Moose Line.

The Wildfire Situational Awareness map can be viewed here.

The Lake County evacuation map can be viewed here.

Friday morning fire statistics

By the numbers:

Officials updated the estimated acreage report for the wildfires on Friday morning. The latest readings include:

Camp House fire: 14,852 acres
Jenkins Creek fire: 15,571 acres, down from the previously stated 20,000 acres
Munger Shaw fire: 1,600 acres, down from the previously stated 1,700 acres

Officials said the fires have slowed and improved, though the Jenkins Creek fire expanded in size. Rain showers on Thursday helped with some of the hot spots and cooler temperatures in the 60s should help fire crews on Friday.

Gov. Walz and Senators Tina Smith and Amy Klobuchar will visit the incident command center in Two Harbors on Friday morning. They plan to survey the damage left behind from these fires and get an update on the firefighting efforts.

What you can do:

Firefighters say they appreciate the generosity of those who want to help, but they are unable to use all the food and drink donations they are receiving.

Anyone who wants to help can donate to the Wildland Firefighter Foundation, the Red Cross, and the United Way.

The Source: This story used information shared in a livestream of the wildfire news conference and past FOX 9 reporting.

Wildfires Tim Walz St. Louis County