He started a wildfire in northeast Minnesota. Critics say his fine was way too low.

DULUTH – The man accused of starting the northeast Minnesota wildfire that destroyed more than 150 buildings in May and burned through 12,000 acres paid a $175 fine for a petty misdemeanor, dismaying property owners.

Duluth resident Parker Wilson, 27, was convicted in St. Louis County District Court of failing to extinguish a fire.

Wilson was charged in September following a Department of Natural Resources’ investigation into the origin of the Camp House fire that began mid-May north of Duluth, one of three devastating fires in the county that month. The rapid spread prompted Gov. Tim Walz to call in the National Guard to help as residences were evacuated. Property-wise, St. Louis County has tallied about $2.3 million in damage.

The fine “doesn’t fit the crime,” said Brad Nelson, whose property escaped the fire by 2 feet. “There will be long-lasting, horrific effects for many, many families. He should be in jail.”

A statement from the St. Louis County Attorney’s Office said the decision was made in consultation with the DNR, and is “the most serious charge supported by the evidence.”

According to court documents, Wilson’s unattended campfire was on property he owns along Hwy. 44 near Brimson.

Wilson, who could not be reached Monday, pleaded not guilty in September and recently amended his plea. He did not need to appear in court.

“You hear people talking about losing everything, but you don’t really know what that means until you do,” Eric Radke said in May.

Their insurance covered a home rebuild, but not the entirety of the damage, estimated at more than $1 million, Radke, 75, said Monday.

They moved in last week, but they miss the old house, he said. And while he understands the legal outcome, “it’s a travesty,” he said, especially with the region at the time considered high risk for wildfires.

“He is an adult. He knew better,” Radke said.

In the aftermath of the fires, food and clothing drives and fundraisers helped many who lost homes and other property, but few had the insurance or financial ability to begin rebuilding right away, Nelson said. He credits fire crews for building fire breaks that saved his and dozens of other buildings.

During a tour of destruction by Walz and others just days after the Camp House fire began, Brimson Fire Chief Randy Freyholtz said that his 12-member department was mostly trained in structure fires.

As the fire encroached on homes of those fighting it, “emotions were running a little high, but we maintained our professionalism and continued our duty,” Freyholtz said at the time.

The blaze was one of three that spread in northeastern Minnesota in the span of a few days, worsened by intense heat, spruce budworm-damaged trees and whipping winds. It was part of the Brimson Complex fire, which also included the Jenkins Creek fire that threatened the communities of Hoyt Lakes and Skibo. A smaller wildfire also burned near Cotton, Minn. Hundreds battled the fires by air and ground over several weeks, and some elite crews were called in from across the country.