Size: 6800 acres_ LocationT: 57N R13W Section 3 Resources: 1 engine, 3 tracked vehicles, air support Containment: 0% Cause: Under investigation_ Start Date: 5/12/2025 Total Personnel: 22

NOTE- Minnesota Incident Command Team A under Incident Commander Mike Hill took command of the Jenkins Creek fire at 0600 this morning.

Tomorrow morning a Complex Incident Management Team from the Eastern Region will transition to command of the Jenkins Creek Fire.

Fire Information and Location: On Monday, May 12, 2025, around 11:00 a.m. a fire was detected west of Jenkins Creek, north of County Road 16 and east of County Road 110, 15 miles southeast of Hoyt Lakes, MN on the Laurentian Ranger District of the Superior National Forest (NF)._ Critical values at risk include the community of Skibo, the Skibo Mill and the Canadian National Railroad line.

Description:

Late yesterday afternoon the fire moved quickly driven by strong southerly winds with running, torching, and crown fire observed. Aircraft was used to protect private property and attempt to hold the fire edge in key locations. The fire made a long and narrow run to the north including over the St. Louis River and eventually reaching part of Forest Road 120 (Skibo Road) west of Stone Lake.

Mapping of the fire perimeter last evening gave a size of approximately 6,800 acres. Fire is burning in timber with a mixed boreal forest and grass components and in a landscape heavily impacted by the spruce budworm. The cause of the fire has not been determined yet and is under investigation.

Resources:

Additional fire personnel are arriving today, and aircraft will be available again to protect private property and attempt to keep the fire edge in check in key locations. Ground personnel will engage where safe to do so. Firefighters will be assessing fire suppression control line locations and tactics that present the best opportunity for success. Aircraft will again be used to help slow fire spread and protect private property structures where possible. Public and firefighter safety are the highest priority and ground access could be limited due to swamps, rivers, and lack of forest roads in the area. Above average temperatures are predicted, and a Red Flag Warning is in effect today in Northeastern Minnesota and over the fire area.

A Type 3 Team, Minnesota Incident Command System (MNICS) Team A, was ordered to help manage this fire and assumed command at 6:00 a.m Tuesday morning. Wildfires are categorized in complexity with 5 being the lowest complexity and 1 being the highest complexity. An Eastern Area Complex Incident Command Team is in transit and will assume command of this fire on Wednesday, May 14.

National Weather Service Forecast: Today- The National Weather Service has issued a Fire Weather Watch and Red Flag Warning for May 13 due to near-critical fire weather. Sunny, with a high near 85. Breezy, with a south wind 7 to 12 mph, with gusts as high as 22 mph. Tonight- Mostly cloudy, with a low around 56. Southeast wind 5 to 9 mph, with gusts as high as 18 mph. Tomorrow is forecast to be another warm, dry day with cooler temps and higher humidity starting later tomorrow evening.

Evacuations: Evacuations are taking place in St. Louis and Lake Counties._ See county websites for evacuation information and to sign up for emergency alerts.

St. Louis County: https://sheriffslcgis. hub.arcgis.com/pages/ wildfire Lake County: https:// www.co.lake.mn.us/emergencymanagement/

Cooperating Agencies: Minnesota Department of Natural Resources, Bureau of Indian Affairs, US Fish and Wildlife Service, USDA Forest Service, Two Harbors Fire Department, Finland Fire Department, Silver Bay Fire Department and Brimson Volunteer Fire Department, Minnesota Department of Public Safety Fire Service Specialists, St. Louis County Emergency Management, St. Louis County Rescue Squad, and Lake County Sherriff ’s Office, and Lake County Emergency Management.

Burning Restrictions:

For current burning restrictions, see https://www.dnr.state.mn.us/ forestry/fire/ firerating_restrictions.html