Rain and cool weather help crews battle Minnesota wildfires with the smallest blaze 75% contained

Firefighters have contained nearly one-third of the Camp House fire near Brimson, Minn., though the nearby Jenkins Creek fire remains uncontained, officials said Sunday.

Both fires broke out last week north of Duluth, ripping through dense forest and scorching scores of homes.

The Camp House fire has burned roughly 12,300 acres, while the Jenkins Creek fire has burned about 16,300 acres.

The Minnesota Incident Command System said in an update Sunday that the Camp House fire hadn’t grown in the past four days.

Cooler temperatures and rain Saturday allowed firefighters to build containment lines on the fire’s southern and western edges.

Crews spent Sunday attempting to contain the blaze’s eastern and northern sides, while dodging dead trees and powerlines.

Dry conditions and strong winds forecast over the coming days could affect the fire, according to the update.

On Saturday, they extended fire containment lines along the fire’s northwestern edge and southern end in preparation for drier conditions and gusty winds.

Evacuation orders remain in effect for some neighborhoods. Authorities are allowing people limited access to properties.

Officials will hold a meeting on the two fires at 6 p.m. Monday in the Mesabi East School District High School auditorium. The meeting will be livestreamed.

The causes of both blazes remain under investigation.

Crews had contained three-fourths of the Munger Shaw fire as of Sunday afternoon. The blaze, which scorched 1,600 acres southeast of Cotton broke out last Monday.