'Jeep Fire' completely contained, DNR says
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.
A fire that burned 1,600 acres of forest and grassland in north central Minnesota is now completely contained, said the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources.
The fire broke out on Sunday 40 miles northwest of Brainerd near Lyons State Forest.
Firefighters will remain vigilant over the next several days to make sure winds don't whip up the fire again, said Ron Sanow of the DNR.
"We'll be diligent for a couple more days yet but at this point we're feeling pretty confident," Sanow said.
Turn Up Your Support
MPR News helps you turn down the noise and build shared understanding. Turn up your support for this public resource and keep trusted journalism accessible to all.
"Now when we start talking about 30 miles per hour gusty, swirling winds, there's a possibility — it's an outside possibility but a possibility — that we could have a spark carried upwards to a quarter-mile that could start a fire," he said.
Investigators refer to the blaze as the "Jeep Fire" because they think it was started by a vehicle.
The fire spread quickly, threatening the small town of Nimrod Sunday night and forcing the evacuation of several homes. Within a day, firefighters had the blaze mostly under control. But it continued to burn in a swampy area.
The fire burned five buildings, including a home, a hunting shack and several outbuildings. No injuries have been reported.
Dear reader,
Your voice matters. And we want to hear it.
Will you help shape the future of Minnesota Public Radio by taking our short Listener Survey?
It only takes a few minutes, and your input helps us serve you better—whether it’s news, culture, or the conversations that matter most to Minnesotans.
