The Minnesota Incident Command Center reports that a wildfire in Carlton County is almost entirely contained. Over the weekend, crews were mopping up the 82-acre fire near Barnum—infrared flights located more hot spots in the western portion of this wildfire.
Officials say the type of vegetation in the area is slowing down progress, particularly the composition of peat soil that provides a long-term fuel source for a wildfire. Thirty-seven crew members with 19 pieces of equipment have worked on this fire since Sept. 4.
All evacuation orders and road closures have been lifted. The MNICS says aircraft may be brought in to assist with the wildfire suppression efforts, and if drones are detected in the area, air operations supporting the fire will stop. The cause of this fire is still under investigation.
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The office would be able to investigate any public or private entity that receives public dollars. It would also expand information-sharing between agencies and implement best anti-fraud practices. -
Plus: The new conservation officer in Walker gives his predictions and tips for anglers ahead of his first-ever fishing season opener in the role. -
Jack Lien has been exploring the area lakes ahead of opener on May 9, 2026, both to familiarize himself with them and to "study ... where the fishermen are going to get their boats and where they might find success.” -
A family member confirmed all three victims are in stable condition after they suffered gunshot wounds in Bemidji's Itasca Loop neighborhood on May 7, 2026. -
The Bureau of Criminal Apprehension found Deputy Michael Cowan did not discharge his weapon, according to the sheriff's office. The incident is now being called a "conflict case." -
MPCA meteorologists are predicting an active air quality season for 2026, comparable to 2024. A strong El Niño cycle is expected to bring warmer and drier conditions. -
Discussions around Tamarack echo themes playing out for a Twin Metals’ copper-nickel proposal near the Boundary Waters, which in April cleared a key federal hurdle in the U.S. Senate. -
The Itasca County Board plans to decide on May 19, 2026, whether to fly the previous Minnesota state flag, possibly in addition to the present flag. -
The Minnesota Department of Public Safety’s Bureau of Criminal Apprehension identified Virginia Police Lt. Henry Trunk as the officer who fired his department-issued firearm. -
A red flag warning means fires can spread quickly and grow out of control under the predicted weather conditions, including strong winds and low relative humidity.
Two fatal accidents were reported in northeastern Minnesota Saturday.
A 22-year-old was killed in a train crash early Saturday morning near Highway 210 in Carlton County. The Sheriff's office reports Brock Hascall of Wright was southbound on Lammi Road when his vehicle was struck by the westbound Burlington Northern Santa Fe train.
He was pronounced dead at the scene. No other injuries were reported and the incident remains under investigation.
A separate fatal crash in St. Louis County killed three 23-year-olds.
The victims were Darren Tenney of New Richmond, Wisconsin, Joseph Trowbridge of Woodbury and Madison Warren of Oakdale. The crash was around 3 a.m. on Highway 8 near Floodwood.
As drought conditions continue to expand in Minnesota, some areas of the state are now experiencing exceptional drought conditions for the first time since 2021. At this time, the US Drought Monitor classifies more than half of the state in severe, extreme, or exceptional drought, with the rest of the state in moderate drought or abnormally dry conditions.
The Minnesota Department of Natural Resources encourages all to monitor their water use, with some watersheds in southern Minnesota entering drought-restrictive phases, which requires public water suppliers to implement significant water conservation measures to reduce consumption.
Over the past seven weeks, the DNR has also suspended 107 surface water appropriation permits for non-domestic use across the state in response to the expanding drought conditions.
