Wildfire in Crow Wing County: Crews work to contain blaze amid red flag warning

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Drone footage from Breezy Point showing a wildfire in Crow Wing County. (Credit: Ryan N.) (Ryan N.)

CROW WING COUNTY, Minn. (FOX 9) - Fire departments and emergency personnel are working to contain a large wildfire in northern Crow Wing County on Saturday afternoon, according to the sheriff's office.

Wildfire in Crow Wing County

What we know:

Multiple local fire departments and emergency personnel are responding to the wildfire in northern Crow Wing County. Footage shared with FOX 9 shows thick plumes of smoke rising above the trees and an aircraft dropping fire retardant near Upper Mission Lake in Merrifield, Minn.

The Crow Wing County Sheriff’s Office is urging the public to avoid County Road 11 and the surrounding area as crews work to contain the fire. Officials said emergency vehicles and firefighters need clear access to protect nearby property and respond safely.

Photo from Stephanie showing a wildfire in Crow Wing County near Upper Mission Lake in Merrifield.  (Stephanie / Supplied)

Drivers are being asked to stay out of the area when possible, use alternate routes and follow directions from emergency responders. Officials also warned people not to stop to watch the fire, citing safety concerns and the need to keep roads clear for emergency crews.

What we don't know:

No additional information about injuries, evacuations or the size of the fire was immediately available.

The sheriff’s office said updates will be released as more information becomes available.

Red flag warning in Minnesota

Local perspective:

Crow Wing County is among the 15 counties included in a red flag warning issued by the National Weather Service on Saturday. 

The other counties under the warning include Cass Aitkin, Carlton, St. Louis, Pine, Otter Tail, Wadena, Grant, Douglas, Todd, Morrison, Mille Lacs, Kanabec, and Benton counties. 

Red flag warnings are issued when conditions such as low humidity and strong winds could cause fires to spread quickly and get out of control, according to the DNR. 

What they're saying:

"When fire risk is this high, it’s important to be careful with anything could spark a wildfire," said Mike Warnke, DNR wildfire administrative supervisor. 

Officials are urging residents not to burn in counties where the warning is in effect and to check any recent burning to ensure fires are completely out. The DNR will not issue or activate open burning permits for large vegetative debris burning and said campfires are discouraged. 

Stewart Trail wildfire in northern Minnesota

Stewart Trail Fire footage from Troy Groeneveld.  (Supplied)

Big picture view:

The Crow Wing County wildfire comes as crews are working to contain another wildfire in northern Minnesota, known as the Stewart Trail Fire. 

The fire is burning about three miles north of Two Harbors, has grown to 376 acres and remains 0% contained, according to fire officials. Local fire departments are focusing on structure protection along the Highway 61 corridor, where portions of the highway remain closed due to heavy smoke and firefighting activity. Evacuation notifications remain in place in parts of Lake County as crews continue working to slow the fire’s spread.