40,000 seedlings planted in forests burned in Munger Shaw Fire

SAGINAW — As the one-year anniversary approaches of devastating wildfires that burned thousands of acres in St. Louis County, reforestation efforts are underway.

The St. Louis County Land & Minerals' forestry division on Thursday, April 30, oversaw the planting of 40,000 tree seedlings. The mix of red and white pine seedlings now cover approximately 48 acres of tax-forfeited land that had burned in the Munger Shaw fire.

St. Louis County reported in a news release that Minnesota Power/ALLETE, through its Rajala Woods Initiative, donated 23,000 seedlings for the reforestation efforts, with the remaining 17,000 coming from the county's supply. The county contracted with Superior Forestry Service Inc. to do the plantings.

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St. Louis County

“Planting white pine, red pine and other long-lived species is a great step to make the forest more resilient and reduce the risks of wildfires and insect infestations," stated Kurt Anderson, chairman of the Rajala Woods Foundation and Minnesota Power director of environmental and land management.

"Encouraging this long-lived forest supports the mission of the Rajala Woods Foundation, helps protect Minnesota Power’s vital infrastructure in the area from wildfire damage, and creates other social benefits for everyone.”

The Land and Minerals Department expects to plant about 350,000 seedlings in total this year. The donation from Minnesota Power/ALLETE enabled the county to replant sooner where the fire had burned.

"It can take about two years to get seedlings, so we're grateful to Minnesota Power/ALLETE for the donation that allowed us to begin reforesting here this year," stated Nate Anderson, deputy director of St. Louis County Land and Minerals.

Erik Anton, St. Louis County forester, said the trees that burned were about 50 years old.

"So it will take time for this area to recover, but it's exciting to see it start," he said. "Interestingly, we're already seeing aspen regenerating nearby."