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Read the latest about the Crow Wing County fire here.

Residents of northern Crow Wing County who were forced to leave their homes due to a wildfire last weekend were allowed to briefly return to their properties Monday, as crews make progress containing the fire.

The Flanders Fire started early Saturday afternoon southeast of Crosslake, and about 10 miles east of Breezy Point. It quickly erupted due to dry, windy conditions, and grew to more than 1,600 acres.

Authorities said fire crews had a successful day fighting the fire on Monday. Higher humidity, cooler temperatures and lighter winds helped.

Read the latest here

As of Monday evening, authorities say the fire is 60 percent contained. That means firefighters had created lines they believe will keep the flames from spreading around 60 percent of the fire perimeter.

Crews are continuing to strengthen containment lines and extinguish hot spots. They’re also assessing roads and buildings for damaged trees that could pose a hazard.

Residents within the evacuation area were allowed back to their properties on Monday just for the day. County Road 11 also reopened to traffic from Crosslake to Minnesota State Highway 6. The public is asked to avoid the area for their own safety and to allow fire crews to work.

The fire is burning in an area that is mostly rural and not heavily populated. But it’s dotted with homes and cabins.

The Crow Wing County Sheriff's Office said that as Monday, the fire hadn’t destroyed any homes or other primary structures. It’s possible that some sheds or outbuildings were damaged.

The cause of the Flanders Fire is still under investigation. Tim Engrav, public information officer for the Minnesota Incident Command System team managing the firefighting effort, said a drought spanning multiple years has left trees and fallen logs tinder dry.

“It’s just not a time to do any outdoor burning,” he said. “With the winds and these low relative humidity levels, fire can get away really fast.”

Residents who live near the Flanders Fire were told Saturday to evacuate the area. Others were put on alert to be ready to leave if necessary.

A shelter was set up at the Crosslake Community Center to house people who had to leave their homes. On Monday, the location was moved to the Log Church in Crosslake.

Kara Terry, director of community services for Crow Wing County, said several local businesses have donated food or offered other help.

“Crosslake is a pretty amazing community, and Crow Wing County overall,” she said. “We have a lot of great folks here.”

Crews are also working to contain a second large wildfire in northern Minnesota — the 

Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz on Sunday declared a peacetime emergency and authorized additional state help for the wildfire response in the northern part of the state — including, potentially, personnel and equipment from the Minnesota National Guard.

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The fire started Saturday and had grown to more than 1,600 acres in size by Sunday night. Crews continue working to strengthen containment lines and extinguish hot spots.

The fire started Saturday and had grown to more than 1,600 acres in size by Sunday night — but crews managed to reach 20 percent containment.  Meanwhile, a wildfire on the North Shore that burned more than 30 buildings is now more than 60 percent contained — with favorable weather conditions helping firefighting crews. 

Crews battle Flanders Fire in Crow Wing County, Stewart Trail Fire now 62 percent contained

Smoke billows from a wildfire along a highway

Courtesy of Doug and Mandy Mitchell

A team works on laptops in a conference room.

Kirsti Marohn | MPR News

A team works on laptops while a map of a wildfire is shown on a mounted TV.

Flanders Fire in Crow Wing County now 60 percent contained

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