How to help as wildfires continue to burn in Minnesota

While air quality conditions have improved across most of the state, there were more than a dozen active wildfires in northeastern Minnesota as of Friday.

The fires have burned an estimated 77,000 acres so far.

Officials said fire conditions remain volatile and they expect to fight wildfires through the fall.

The best way to help firefighting crews is to avoid closed areas, according to Karen Miranda-Gleason, a spokesperson for the emergency response effort. She also asked people to stay out of the water where aircraft are working and not fly drones near fire areas.

“Any needed rescue takes resources away from fighting the fires, and aircraft must be grounded if idling boaters or drones are in their working area,” Miranda-Gleason said.

Here are other ways to help in Minnesota.

Donate to area efforts

As of Friday afternoon, there is no need for food, items or volunteers in northern Minnesota, according to the United Way of Northeastern Minnesota, which is working with local and regional emergency response leaders to offer direct assistance.

The U.S. Forest Service at a press briefing Friday said firefighters have all the supplies they need.

United Way is instead directing donations to its Crisis and Disaster Recovery Fund which residents can access to rebuild homes, replace lost items, recoup costs of displacement like hotel stays and for other needs.

“We're here for the long-term recovery as well, when a lot of people are maybe no longer thinking of the fire, or think everything's okay and it's settled,” said Emily Unhjem, volunteer and engagement coordinator for the charity.

People donated over $20,000 in two days, Unhjem said.

The Minnesota Incident Command System — the group of state and federal partners coordinating emergency response in Lake, Cook and St. Louis counties — also shared suggestions in a Facebook post Thursday.

It recommended supporting local American Red Cross chapters, local food pantries or other community organizations aiding displaced residents.

Donations to the Wildland Firefighter Foundation offer valuable support to injured firefighters and their families, the post said.

The American Red Cross Minnesota and Dakotas Region encouraged donations to United Way’s fund, as well as American Red Cross disaster relief.

“These donations help provide food, shelter, relief supplies, comfort, financial assistance and other aid, as well as support the vehicles, warehouses and people that make this help possible,” wrote spokesperson Carrie Carlson-Guest in an email Friday.

Friends of Boundary Waters additionally encouraged donations to

• Ely Area Food Shelf

• Northwoods Partners — a nonprofit serving Ely area elders and their families

• Ely Community Resource — an organization offering youth programs, community education and outdoor experiences.

Shop local

Emily Roose is part of a group that formed the Ely Community Response, a resource hub at the city’s State Theater, to ensure charitable giving is effective.

She said Ely residents have sought N95 masks and air purifiers with wildfire smoke causing hazardous air quality. Volunteers are keeping track of people who have offered other help and donations.

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She said while resident needs are met, northern Minnesota businesses need support.

Roose, an economic developer and city council member, said restaurants and storefronts have reported less traffic. Outfitters and other outdoor-adjacent businesses have been especially hit hard, with clients canceling upcoming bookings and those later in the season.

“This is the season where they make most of their money that carries them through the winter,” Roose said. “And so it is really hard when there's these big slowdowns in our busiest season.”

People can support northern Minnesota businesses by shopping online, purchasing gift cards and booking future stays, Roose said. If feasible, she encouraged would-be visitors to not cancel scheduled trips or ask for refunds.

She said air quality conditions have improved greatly over the last few days and there are other lakes and forests to explore.

“There is a lot more to offer in Ely than the Boundary Waters,” Ely Mayor Heidi Omerza said at the Friday press briefing. “We are open for business. Come on up and check us out.”

Be prepared yourself — and check on your neighbors.

State officials recommend residents near wildfire areas look out for evacuation orders and that all Minnesotans keep track of air quality conditions.

Unhjem said people should keep an eye on elders, youth and others most at risk outdoors in particular this summer.

“The big concern right now is probably just health in general with the smoke and air quality,” she said.

This is a non-exhaustive list. Know of additional needs or suggestions? Email MPR News at tell@mpr.org.

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