Munger Shaw Fire Update Thursday, 05-15-2025

Munger Shaw  Fire Update

Thursday, May15, 2025

Minnesota Incident Mgt.Team A Incident Commander: Mike Hill

Fire Information: 218-360-4484

Inciweb: https://inciweb.wildfire.gov/incident-information/mnmns-munger- shaw-fire

Email: 2025.mungershaw@firenet.gov

Munger Shaw Fire Quick Facts

Size: 1600 acres       Location: Southeast of Cotton, MN                               Personnel: 65

Containment: 0%      Cause: Under investigation                                            Resources: 1 engine, 4 dozers,

Start Date: 05/12/2025                                                                                              4 tracked vehicles, 1 Type One Crew

NOTE: Minnesota Incident Management Team A under Incident Commander Mike Hill took command of the Munger Shaw fire at noon on May 14, 2025

Munger Shaw Overview – The Munger Shaw fire was detected late in the afternoon on Monday May 12. Minnesota DNR along with local fire departments responded. Multiple aircraft were brought in to help slow down the active flame fronts, supporting the ground firefighting efforts. The fire is active in pine and lowland fuels. St. Louis County Sheriff’s Office and Emergency Management are coordinating public safety efforts, including evacuations and road closures. Firefighters continue working to establish fire containment lines around the fire with heavy equipment and on-the-ground personnel. The cause of the fire is still under investigation. Update and Planned Activities: Yesterday’s lower temps, reduced wind speed and higher relative humidity slowed fire growth. This brought much needed relief to firefighters who focused their time on building and strengthening dozer lines and securing the fire perimeter. Walk-throughs of the burn area yesterday revealed minimal fire activity especially along the southeast, southwest and northeast corners. Aircraft made bucket drops which successfully limited fire growth and cooled unburned fuel pockets on the northwest corner of the fire.

Today’s afternoon weather forecast calls for precipitation but predicts severe thunderstorms and gusty erratic winds in the afternoon. Forecasted severe storms bring challenges for fire operations in their work to contain the fire within its current footprint. Ground resources will continue with fire line construction, extinguishing hot spots and utilizing heavy equipment to build control line and secure the fire’s edge.

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 fire area today calls for higher humidity and precipitation. The chance for rain showers and thunderstorms increases in the afternoon along with the possibility of gusty and erratic winds. Today’s forecast prediction is for winds from the south and east of 10-15 mph with gusts as high as 30 mph.

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 is coordinating and enforcing road closures near the Munger-Shaw fire. St. Louis County: https://sheriff-slcgis.hub.arcgis.com/pages/wildfire

Lake County: https://www.co.lake.mn.us/emergency-management/The public is asked to avoid the areas around the fire for their safety and the safety of fire personnel. Temporary flight restrictions are in place. No drones are allowed near any of the fire areas.

Cooperating Agencies: Minnesota Department of Natural Resources, Bureau of Indian Affairs, US Fish and and Wildlife Service, USDA Forest Service, CN Railroad, Two Harbors Fire Department, Finland Fire Department, Silver Bay Fire Department and Brimson Volunteer Fire Department, Northland Fire Department, Minnesota Department of Public Safety Fire Service Specialists, St. Louis County Emergency Management and St. Louis County Rescue Squad, and Lake County Sherriff’s Office, and Lake County Emergency Management.

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