forest fire

As "green-up" slowly makes its way north, Minnesota's firefighters remain alert to conditions where wildfires can easily spread due to available fuels and dry weather.

Research indicates that in the coming decades, the state is likely to see more risk days of wildfires starting on the ground due to more extreme droughts connected to climate change.

Prescribed burning will begin in the eastern portion of the forest in the Gunflint and Tofte ranger districts, with burns in the western part slated when weather conditions allow.

Travis Verdegan, fire predictive services coordinator, discusses how the DNR makes forest fire decisions. The "Fire in MN forests" series is produced by Mark Jacobs.

Brian Schwingle, MN DNR forest health program coordinator, discusses how invasive species impact wildfires. The "Fire in MN forests" series is produced by Mark Jacobs.

Crews are working to map and address hot spots, according to an update from the team managing the Jenkins Creek and Horse River fires.

The Horse River Fire was estimated at 20-25 acres. Crews continue mop-up and repair work on the Brimson Complex fires, which are both nearly contained.

Critical fire weather returned to Northern Minnesota on Tuesday, but firefighters' efforts paid off, as lines held and containment even increased.

As three large wildfires burn in St. Louis County, Leanne Langeberg of the Minnesota Interagency Fire Center provides insight into the work firefighters have been doing.

In October 1918, flames swept across northeastern Minnesota in what became the deadliest natural disaster in state history. More than 450 people died; 52,000 were displaced, and entire communities were reduced to ash.