Rain helps slow Northeast Minnesota wildfires before dry weather returns

Overnight rain is helping firefighters battle wildfires in Northeast Minnesota, but that advantage could be lost in the next several days.

Several areas near Ely got at least a half inch to an inch-and-a-half of rain. Operational section chief Peter Myers said in a Saturday video update the precipitation was welcome news for crews trying to stunt the blazes.

“This rain will help us over the next three to four days keep this fire kind of in check,” Myers said. “But we are seeing another dry trend that is coming in starting over the next four or five days.”

Crews can now reach places that were previously off limits thanks to the rain, Myers said. More crews will be in the field to take advantage of the favorable weather before drier conditions set in.

Myers said crews finished a bulldozer line along the Camp Fire and he was comfortable calling a southern portion of the fire contained, though crews will continue working to ensure it doesn’t rekindle.

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