DNR: Firefighters expect to contain north central Minnesota wildfire

Minnesota firefighters expect to get a 2,500-acre wildfire under control by Friday afternoon.

Crews from the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources and the McGregor, Minn., fire department responded to a fire burning in an old lake bed five miles northeast of McGregor on Thursday. Aircraft supported ground crews.

No houses are threatened by the flames. So far, only gas and brush has burned, DNR incident commander Brian Pisarek said. The former lake bed is relatively moist, so the blaze is spreading slowly.

Firefighters had a busy day in Minnesota Thursday with 88 fires burning nearly 3,500 acres across the state. Firefighting aircraft were called to 15 fires, including a National Guard helicopter that responded to a fire near Sandstone, Minn. High winds across the state Thursday grounded some aircraft and fed the flames.

Today's forecast calls for hard, dry winds across, which suggests firefighters will have another busy day.

Create a More Connected Minnesota

MPR News is your trusted resource for the news you need. With your support, MPR News brings accessible, courageous journalism and authentic conversation to everyone - free of paywalls and barriers. Your gift makes a difference.