Single Publication

Eastern Area Critical Incident Mgt. Team Incident Commander: Brian Jenkins (effective 05/14/2025)

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

Inciweb: https://inciweb.wildfire.gov/incident-information/mnmns-camp-house Email: 2025.camphouse@firenet.gov

Camp House Fire Quick Facts
Size: 14,979 acres    Location: Brimson, MN               Resources:  32 engines, 6 dozers, 
Containment: 0%    Cause: Under investigation         13 tenders, 3 tracked vehicles & air support 
Start Date: 05/11/2025                                                

Jenkins Creek Fire Quick Facts

Size: 20,593 acres      Location: T57N R13W Section 3  

Resources: 5 engine, 3 tenders, 3 tracked vehicle & air support

Containment: 0%    Cause: Under investigation          

Start Date: 05/12/2025

NOTE: The Eastern Area Complex Incident Management Team under Incident Commander Brian Jenkins took command of both fires at 0700 this morning. The Camphouse and Jenkins Creek fires are being managed as the “Brimson Complex.” 

Camp House Fire: Firefighters are engaged in full suppression tactics on the fire and are providing protection to threatened structures and infrastructure around the fire perimeter. The fires have been active, making short runs in the pine overstory -- especially in areas with heavy spruce budworm infestation. Fire have proved challenging due to the influence of unpredictable shifting “lake turbulence” winds.

Planned Activities: Firefighting crews are preparing for another active fire day, and additional resources have been assigned. In-state and out-of-state resources will continue establishing fire containment lines with heavy equipment. Dozers will be working along the left flank of the fire today. Crews will also work to protect the AT&T communications tower in that area.

National Weather Service Forecast: The National Weather Service has lifted the Red Flag Warning for Minnesota, but any outdoor burning is still discouraged. The forecast for the Brimson area today calls for a high of 81F with a chance of showers between noon and 4 p.m. this afternoon and possible thunderstorms after 4:00 p.m. Relative humidity is at 69% and fluctuating.

Evacuations and Road Closures: St. Louis County Sheriff's Office Divisions of Emergency Management and 911 have a website hub with evacuation and other fire information and Ready-Set-Go map. St. Louis County has closed eastbound Highway 16 at the Camp 26 Trail Track and County Hwy 44 is blocked for northbound traffic. (Highway 55 is still open.) Eastbound Highway 16 and southbound Brimson-Toimi Rd/6205 Rd are closed at that intersection. County Rd. 110 (Hwy 11) is blocked outside Hoyt Lakes at Moose Line. Eastbound Forest Rte. 129 is blocked at Moose Line. 

Overview: The Camp House Fire has been burning since Sunday in mixed forest vegetation with a large number of spruce budworm infested forest stands. Aircraft resources, the MN Department of Natural Resources, personnel from Superior National Forest and local fire departments and mutual aid partners have responded. The cause of the fire is currently under investigation. 

Jenkins Creek Fire: The hot, windy weather in recent days led to some extreme fire behavior with crown torching and crown spread. The fire jumped Forest Rd. 120 (Skibo Rd.) and pushed north. Unlike the Camp House Fiore, the Jenkins Creek Fire was not impacted by lake effect winds. This fire is burning in mixed boreal forest and grassy ground cover; this area is one heavily infested by spruce budworm, so there is an abundance of distressed and dead balsam fir and white spruce. Those “snags” are especially prone to ignition.

Planned Activities: Ground personnel will engage where safe to do so. Firefighters will be assessing fire suppression control-line locations and tactics that present the best opportunity for success. Aircraft will again be used to help slow fire spread and protect private property and structures where possible. Public and firefighter safety are the highest priority and ground access could be limited due to swamps, rivers, and lack of forest roads in the area. 

Fire Closure Order for Superior National Forest:  Fire Closure Order Superior National Forest: Due to the “Brimson Complex” fires on the Superior National Forest (SNF), Forest Supervisor Tom Hall has closed a portion of the Laurentian Ranger District with an Emergency Forest Order 09-09-25-05 Closure is effective as of May 13, 12:00 pm CT. The closure prohibits visitor entry at campsites, recreation sites, trails, roads and lakes.  See Forest Order Exhibit A for a list of closure areas and Exhibit B for a map of the area.  The closure may be modified or extended as conditions allow. https://www.fs.usda.gov/r09/superior/alerts/forest-order-09-09-25-05-brimson-complex-emergency-closure 

Cooperating Agencies: MN Department of Natural Resources, Bureau of Indian Affairs, US Fish and Wildlife Service, USDA Forest Service, Two Harbors Fire Department, Finland Fire Department, Silver Bay Fire Department and Brimson Volunteer Fire Department, MN Department of Public Safety Fire Service Specialists, St. Louis County Emergency Management, St. Louis County Rescue Squad, and Lake County and St. Louis County Sherrifs’ Offices, and Lake County Emergency Management. 

Burning Restrictions: For current burning restrictions, see  https://www.dnr.state.mn.us/forestry/fire/firerating_restrictions.html