Stay Curious. Stay Connected.
MailNewsletters♡Donate Now

Minnesota Wildfires

MPR News keeps track of real-time wildfire updates so you can keep yourself and your family safe.

Sign up for Minnesota Wildfire SMS updates

Get the latest on wildfires in Minnesota via SMS. Add your number below to get our next update.

Gov. Walz extends emergency declaration for northern Minnesota wildfires

Gov. Walz extends emergency declaration for northern Minnesota wildfires

Gov. Tim Walz called an Executive Council meeting Wednesday to extend the peacetime emergency for wildfires in and around the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness for 30 more days.
by Anna Haecherl

Go Deeper.

Create an account or log in to save stories.

Like this?

Thanks for liking this story! We have added it to a list of your favorite stories.

Show me!
Mother of three young kids recounts evacuating as northern Minnesota fires neared

Mother of three young kids recounts evacuating as northern Minnesota fires neared

Kate Tovsen, who lives about 20 miles outside of Ely, left her home with her three young children as fires spread in the Boundary Waters. “It's just so surreal to have to to be a parent managing that situation,” she told MPR News.
by Cathy Wurzer and Lukas Levin

Go Deeper.

Create an account or log in to save stories.

Like this?

Thanks for liking this story! We have added it to a list of your favorite stories.

Show me!
What’s fueling northeastern Minnesota’s wildfires?

What’s fueling northeastern Minnesota’s wildfires?

MPR News guest host Kelly Gordon talks with a forest ecologist about the wildfires burning in and around the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness, what's fueling them, why they're so difficult to contain and how to reduce wildfire risk.
by Kelly Gordon and Cari Dwyer

Go Deeper.

Create an account or log in to save stories.

Like this?

Thanks for liking this story! We have added it to a list of your favorite stories.

Show me!
Heat wave puts new stress on Minnesota’s livestock producers

Heat wave puts new stress on Minnesota’s livestock producers

Many of the state’s farmers may have a tough week ahead as they contend with the intense summer heat and worry over their animals. Some may also be bracing for smoke from wildfires in the north.
by Tadeo Ruiz Sandoval

Go Deeper.

Create an account or log in to save stories.

Like this?

Thanks for liking this story! We have added it to a list of your favorite stories.

Show me!
Molter museum moves to protect archives from fire damage

Molter museum moves to protect archives from fire damage

A museum celebrating the life of Dorothy Molter, also known as the Root Beer Lady, is within a few miles of wildfires in northeast Minnesota.
by Harshawn Ratanpal

Go Deeper.

Create an account or log in to save stories.

Like this?

Thanks for liking this story! We have added it to a list of your favorite stories.

Show me!
‘Sky on fire’: Boundary Waters campers recall tense moments as flames neared

‘Sky on fire’: Boundary Waters campers recall tense moments as flames neared

Paddlers coming out of the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness Monday shared some of their harrowing moments as they worked to get themselves and their loved ones off the water ahead of the fires closing in.
by Dan Kraker

Go Deeper.

Create an account or log in to save stories.

Like this?

Thanks for liking this story! We have added it to a list of your favorite stories.

Show me!
Sheriff: Explosive weather conditions fueling wildfire spread

Sheriff: Explosive weather conditions fueling wildfire spread

St. Louis County Sheriff Gordon Ramsay said fallen trees from previous blowdowns in the Boundary Waters are fueling the fires, and led to explosive growth of the Camp Fire on Monday.
by Catharine Richert

Go Deeper.

Create an account or log in to save stories.

Like this?

Thanks for liking this story! We have added it to a list of your favorite stories.

Show me!