Crosby Fire now 85% contained, favorable conditions helped prevent spread

The Crosby Fire in Northeast Minnesota is now 85 percent contained, according to firefighting officials.

The update Tuesday morning said the fire in George H. Crosby Manitou State Park is still 300 acres. An update from the Minnesota Interagency Fire Center said favorable conditions and continued work by firefighters held the wildfire at about the same size.

Firefighters are continuing to work on the containment line and hot spots. Officials said the fire, which was detected last week, was caused by a lightning strike.

Part of the Superior Hiking Trail remains temporarily closed between Caribou Falls State Wayside rest area along Minnesota State Highway 61 to the Lake County Road 7, or Cramer Road, access points.

Leanne Langeberg, spokesperson for the Minnesota Interagency Fire Center, said about 32 Department of Natural Resources wildland firefighters are fighting the blaze each day.

Autumn is the second busiest season for wildfires in Minnesota, Langeberg added. Though the Crosby Fire was started by a lightning strike, most wildfires are caused by people, according to the Minnesota DNR.

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