Aerial mapping put the Superior National Forest fires at about 77,000 acres, with officials warning the largely uncontrolled fire lines are likely to keep growing through the summer.
The 34,422-acre Bear Trap Fire, 20 miles north of Ely, has pushed south to within about a mile of infrastructure along the Echo Trail, including Big Lake resorts, cabins and homes.
Sixteen wildfires are active overall, including three in the Boundary Waters; remote access has slowed attacks on Bear Trap and the 15,394-acre Thumb Fire because crews must arrive by canoe or float plane.
Evacuation orders remained in place Friday: Lake County kept a "Go" order along the Fernberg Corridor because of the 4,176-acre Camp Fire, while parts of St. Louis County's Echo Trail stayed under "Go" for the Sioux Fire.
Hazardous smoke also persisted, with Minnesota extending an air-quality alert for much of the state through Monday even after readings eased to 330 from Thursday's 1,134.