Gusty winds challenging efforts to control northern Minnesota fires

Updated 11:08 a.m. | Posted 8:46 a.m.

Firefighters from 12 states are battling critically low humidity and gusty winds as they try to subdue several wildfires burning in northern Minnesota.

The largest, the Skibo Fire, has torched about a thousand acres near Hoyt Lakes on the far eastern edge of the Iron Range. It was 21 percent contained as of Monday morning.

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.

The fire began Friday afternoon two miles east of Hoyt Lakes. It has since strung out along several miles between Hoyt Lakes and the small community of Skibo. People at two or three permanent residences and at least six seasonal cabins in Skibo have voluntarily evacuated.

About 150 firefighters are contending with very strong, active fire behavior, driven by abnormally low relative humidity and gusty winds, said fire information officer Shelly Carroll.

In addition, winds are expected to switch Monday afternoon from out of the northwest to the south or southeast as a cold front moves into the region.

"With that wind switch we need to make sure our fire lines are holding," Carroll said. "That's a complete opposite direction that the winds have been blowing the past several days."

She said there's a pocket of fire about a mile and a half east of Hoyt Lakes, and the wind switch could push the fire toward the town of 2,000. "That's reason for concern," she said.

Two helicopters were battling the fire as of Monday morning, but officials said an additional 42 aircraft were available if needed.

Officials urge motorists to use caution when driving on St. Louis County Highway 110, which firefighters are using to exit and enter the fire.

Two smaller fires are burning near Embarrass and Finland, Minn. In north-central Minnesota, firefighters have contained a blaze near Lake George that burned 365 acres.