North Shore wildfire closes Highway 61

The Stewart Trail Fire north of Two Harbors, Minnesota, closed a stretch of Highway 61, forced evacuations and destroyed 34 structures after it was detected on Friday, May 15, according to Lake County and Minnesota incident managers. Fire officials said the blaze started about three miles north of Two Harbors near Lake County Highway 3 and U.S. Highway 61. By Sunday afternoon, the fire was mapped at 355 acres and 30% contained, with 77 personnel assigned, according to the Minnesota Incident Command System. Lake County said some evacuation zones were reduced on Sunday, but the highway closure and detour remained in place for through traffic. ### Where is the fire and how large is it? The Minnesota Incident Command System said the fire started on May 15 about three miles north of Two Harbors in Lake County. Officials placed the origin near Lake County Highway 3 and U.S. Highway 61, an area along Minnesota’s North Shore that carries local traffic and visitors between Duluth and points farther northeast. By Sunday, incident managers said the fire covered 355 acres. That was down from earlier rougher estimates in some local reports because crews were able to get a better assessment of the perimeter, according to the Sunday update posted by MNICS. ### How much damage has been confirmed? Lake County Sheriff Nathan Stadler said on Saturday night that damage assessments found 34 structures had burned. MPR News, citing Stadler, reported that the losses included eight primary structures, such as homes, and 26 outbuildings. The MNICS Sunday update repeated that total, listing 34 structures lost, including eight primary buildings and 26 outbuildings. Two Harbors Mayor Lew Conner told MPR News that firefighters were able to save at least two homes. ### Which part of Highway 61 is closed? MNICS said U.S. Highway 61 was closed because of heavy smoke and firefighting activity at County Highway 2 in Two Harbors and at County Highway 106, also known as West Castle Danger Road, in Castle Danger. The agency said a detour was set up for travelers moving between Silver Bay and Two Harbors. Lake County said Sunday that the detour remained in effect and that Highway 61 stayed closed to through traffic between the Stewart River and the Silver Cliff Tunnel. The county said portions of the highway would reopen for local traffic returning to homes in areas that had previously been under evacuation orders. ### Who has been told to leave? Lake County said it used the “Ready, Set, Go” notification system for evacuations around the fire area. Officials posted evacuation maps online and told residents to check whether their properties remained in active evacuation zones or had been moved to “SET” status, meaning they should stay prepared to leave if conditions changed. Sunday’s county update said some parts of the evacuation zone had been reduced after coordination among the sheriff’s office, the incident team and the county emergency manager. The county said those changes were based on the current size, status and behavior of the fire. ### What are firefighters doing now? MNICS Team A, led by Incident Commander Mike Hill, said firefighters spent Sunday strengthening control lines, working a dozer line on the western side and checking for heat along hand lines on the southern edge. The agency said crews also contained a spot fire on the northeastern corner and used aircraft for water drops. The Sunday update said local fire departments continued structure protection work by mopping up hot spots around buildings. A temporary flight restriction remained in place, and officials warned the public not to fly drones near the fire because they can interfere with aircraft operations. ### What comes next for residents and drivers? Lake County said residents should keep checking the county evacuation map for changes to zone status. The county also said motorists should continue using posted detours and avoid the fire area so emergency crews can work safely. MNICS said crews planned to keep strengthening the dozer line, add hose line along the northern perimeter and continue aircraft drops as needed. Road updates are being posted through Minnesota 511, and fire information is being released through Lake County and MNICS.