Single Publication

Jenkins Creek Fire & Horse River Fire

A National Incident Management Organization (NIMO) Team is managing the Jenkins Creek and Horse River fires under a full suppression strategy. Ensuring public and firefighter safety remain a primary priority.

A fixed-wing infrared flight was flown last night over the areas of both the Jenkins Creek Fire and the Horse River Fire. Flights at night, when temperatures are cooler, enhance the accuracy of the technology used to capture heat signatures on the ground. This is in addition to the early morning drone flights that will continue to be used to survey the Jenkins Creek Fire perimeter. It is unlikely that we will use infrared drone flights, which are powered by batteries, over the Horse River Fire because of the challenges of using this equipment in a wilderness area. This technology will continue to be used to better map the fires and, more importantly, to inform decisions as to when and where we insert crews into remote or hazardous areas.

Jenkins Creek Fire 

Size: 16,090 acres                               Containment:94%                Personnel:185

Crews have successfully secured a previously detected small area of fire that crossed the fireline in the vicinity of Laird Creek, approximately two miles to the southeast of the Community of Skibo. Crews will revisit the area today to ensure that the fire has been secured. Change in percentage containment and acreage noted here are related to this area of the fire. One additional source of heat was detected yesterday in the northern portion of the fire; crews successfully located and extinguished this source of heat. In addition to the infrared flight that has been ordered for tonight, Unmanned Aerial System (UAS/drone) flights will continue over the Jenkins Creek Fire perimeter to detect locations of residual heat and to direct crews to hotspots while minimizing their exposure to hazards. Chipping operations will continue along the 113 Road and grading to repair road surfaces will continue today.

Horse River Fire

Size: 15 acres                                      Containment: 0%                  Personnel: 20

The two Wildland Fire Modules that have been inserted into the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness will begin assessing the feasibility of implementing a strategy of direct engagement on the Horse River Fire. This means that they will assess the safety and feasibility of working directly on the existing perimeter of the fire. This is in contrast to identifying areas distant from the fireline, such as the natural features of wetlands or rivers, that may serve as indirect fireline. Logistical support for the crews will be provided by using helicopters to transport sling loads of food and equipment into the area of the Horse River Fire.

Fire Weather & Behavior:  A dry air mass will settle over the area for the next two days, bringing a warming and drying trend that will extend into Monday. Temperatures will increase, relative humidities will hover in the mid-20s, and afternoon winds will bring gusts to 15 mph, resulting in the possibility of observable fire behavior for both fires. Monday’s fire weather conditions will become hotter, dryer, and windier, testing suppression efforts with temperatures in the high 80s, relative humidity in the mid-20s, and wind gusts that will exceed 20 mph. There is a chance of wetting rain on Tuesday, June 3rd, that may moderate the fire behavior that we are likely to experience over the weekend.

Air Quality: The Minnesota Pollution Control Agency has issued a new Air Quality Alert that includes the entire State of Minnesota. Wildfires burning in Canada will result in an Air Quality Index of ‘red’ for all of northern Minnesota.  The Air Quality Alert extends through Monday at 6:00 PM.  Both the webpage for the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency and the AirNow webpage are excellent sources of information regarding air quality and public health.

Fire Information: 218-206-6805, 9 a.m.–8 p.m.

LinkTree: www.linktr.ee/2025.HorseRiver

Email: 2025.JenkinsCreek@firenet.gov