Flanders Fire Grows to 1,666 Acres as Minnesota Mobilizes Guard and Keeps Evacuations in Place
Updated
Updated · INFORUM · May 19
Flanders Fire Grows to 1,666 Acres as Minnesota Mobilizes Guard and Keeps Evacuations in Place
4 articles · Updated · INFORUM · May 19
The Flanders Fire in Crow Wing County reached 1,666 acres by Monday and was only 30% contained, making it the largest of several northern Minnesota wildfires burning since Friday.
Dry conditions and strong winds drove the rapid spread, while limited overnight precipitation kept conditions volatile and suppression work ongoing, according to the Minnesota Incident Command System.
Gov. Tim Walz declared a peacetime emergency Sunday, activating the Minnesota National Guard and other state resources as road closures and evacuation orders remained in effect.
About 30 residents were displaced in Crow Wing County, though officials reported no injuries and only minimal damage to primary homes; a temporary flight restriction was also imposed over the fire zone.
Elsewhere, the Stewart Trail Fire near Two Harbors was more than 60% contained after burning about 355 acres and destroying 34 structures, underscoring the wider strain on Minnesota firefighting efforts.
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