ST. LOUIS COUNTY — As home and cabin owners work to evaluate next steps in the aftermath of the Brimson wildfires, St. Louis County Environmental Services is advising to wait a bit longer before hauling any fire-damaged debris.
The county is working with the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency to obtain permits for a temporary disposal site in Brimson. The delay is also recommended to allow more time for any smoldering embers to burn out to prevent fires during transport or at the landfill.
The county’s Environmental Services department advises affected property owners to prepare for the disposal site to be open, which is expected to be finalized within the next two weeks.
Materials such as household hazardous waste, like paints and stains, flammable liquids, cleaners, fluorescent bulbs, appliances and metal should be separated from other debris for ease of disposal.
In addition to wearing rubber gloves while cleaning and washing with soap and water afterwards, homeowners are advised to hang on to any receipts for disposal costs as they may be reimbursable through insurance or other assistance.
The Jenkins Creek Fire is 94% contained as of Friday afternoon, June 6, and the Horse River Fire in the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness is 53% contained. A weather system on Saturday night is expected to bring substantial rain over both fires throughout the weekend, furthering wildfire suppression efforts.
Shifting winds could bring wildfire smoke over the weekend from farther away. With wildfires basically uncontained in Alberta and Saskatchewan, plumes of wildfire smoke can drift in on the wind, affecting air quality in Northern Minnesota, with an orange alert issued for Sunday.
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