Minnesota Highway 61 reopened at noon Tuesday after firefighters reached 100% containment of the Stewart Trail wildfire late Monday afternoon.
Crews used chainsaws and hoses to remove hazardous trees, cut through burned sections and extinguish residual embers, while extending the containment buffer 60 feet inside the full perimeter to prevent reignition.
Firefighters will keep patrolling and gridding the perimeter and interior for heat pockets and lingering smoke so conditions are stable enough for property owners to return.
The fire started Friday 3 miles north of Two Harbors, grew to 356 acres and destroyed eight primary structures and 26 outbuildings.