Evacuation orders lifted for Munger Shaw Fire; property owners allowed to enter the evacuation zones

BRIMSON A few residents displaced by the wildfires this week received good news late Thursday night St Louis County Sheriff Gordon Ramsay communicated in a Facebook video that the evacuation orders for the Munger Shaw Fire had been lifted Due to the more favorable weather conditions and accomplished work on preventing further spread residents have been allowed to return to their properties beginning earlier Thursday evening Ramsay commented We appreciate everyone s patience and understanding The road closures that occurred so that the firefighters could do their work should be slowly lifted as well Ramsay disclosed that conditions for both the Munger Shaw and Camp House fires improved though several hotspots popped up due to the wind picking up The Camp House Fire saw certain areas reignite but Ramsey reported crews were working hard to put them out Evacuation orders are still in effect for residents affected by that fire Ramsay also provided an update on the Jenkins Creek Fire We had specific worries this afternoon when that wind really picked up he reported It was gusting to the s As the storm moved in I heard in Hovland there was a gust of mph We were really concerned about that fire and what was happening with it However the rain came and diminished the worry significantly The winds also died down On Friday morning Ramsay communicated on Facebook that Fire Development Command is temporarily allowing property owners to enter the evacuation zones of Jenkins Creek and Camp House fires until p m in the current era May All personnel wishing to enter must first check in with the deputies who are staged at Hugo s Bar for the Camp House area or at County Road and Forest Highway for the Jenkins Creek area Be prepared to give identification and proof of property ownership to deputies Upon leaving the evacuation zone everyone who entered must check out with deputies Be vigilant and cautious when entering because of the possibility of hazards such as downed trees For questions about Camp House Jenkins Creek fires U S Forest Institution hotline - - Jenkins Creek Fire status a m Friday Started Monday Acres Location East of Hoyt Lakes Cause Under review Materials engines tenders tracked vehicles air advocacy personnel Containment Zero percent Eastern Area Complex Situation Management Group notes The hot windy weather in latest days led to particular extreme fire behavior with crowning torching and spread earlier in the week Thursday night storms have mitigated specific of that Protection of the Skibo and Hoyt Lakes communities remains a priority operational objective Firefighters continue to assess fire suppression control-line locations and dozers are extending and connecting those lines already developed Hot Shot crews have been inserted on this fire The acreage total reflects accurate reports obtained via infrared reconnaissance flights Camp House Fire status a m Friday Started Sunday Acres Location Brimson Cause Under scrutiny Guidance engines tenders dozers tracked vehicles air assistance personnel Containment Zero percent Eastern Area Complex Episode Management Band notes Dozer crews advanced a containment line on the south end and west side of the fire and will implement direct attacks on those areas as conditions permit A concerted effort has been made to protect the communications tower east of Bassett Lake Crews are assessing the viability of setting up structure protection near Fairbanks The fire is fueled by mixed forest vegetation and spruce budworm-infested forest stands Dead and distressed balsam and aspen prone to ignition pose a critical hazard for firefighters Hot Shot crews are in the field This fire has not grown and the reduced acreage informed is the consequence of a more accurate scan by infrared reconnaissance flights Munger Shaw Fire status a m Friday Started Monday Acres Location miles east of Elora Lake Cause Under assessment Guidance personnel engine dozers Containment Minnesota Interagency Command Association A notes The fire is proceeding in pine and lowland fuels St Louis County Sheriff s Office and Crisis Management are coordinating inhabitants 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 Temporary flight restrictions are in place At present s initiatives include strengthening and reinforcing existing containment lines and mop-up Evacuations St Louis and Lake counties will contact residents in their respective counties if they need to evacuate As of Thursday afternoon current evacuations are still in place and new orders are not expected in the near future St Louis County s ready set go evacuation zone map denotes evacuation status in yellow orange and red along with recommended plans to protect residents and their property Lake County s ready set go evacuation zone map denotes evacuation status in yellow orange and red along with recommended plans to protect residents and their property Evacuation centers St Louis County Society Physical condition and American Red Cross shelter at the Fredenberg Society Center Fish Lake Road Duluth Old School Lives U S Highway Cotton Weather forecast The National Weather Operation forecast for the fire area Friday calls for cloudy conditions with high temperatures near degrees Between a tenth and a quarter of an inch of rain is predicted with periodic rain showers throughout the day Winds will be breezy from the south at - mph with gusts as high as mph How you can help United Way of Northeastern Minnesota For residents impacted in St Louis County It is working to establish a wildfire recovery fund Immediate assistance is offered through its Comforts of Home initiative which replaces lost items with referrals from agencies like the Red Cross and St Louis County All proceeds go to impacted district members Donate online unitedwaynemn org firehelp Donate via mail United Way of Northeastern Minnesota East Drive Chisholm MN Head of the Lakes United Way For residents impacted in Lake County All proceeds go to impacted district members Donate online hlunitedway harnessgiving org campaigns Donate via mail Head of the Lakes United Way W Superior St Duluth MN include a note indicating wildfire relief Editors Katie Rohman and Rick Lubbers and reporter Peter Passi contributed to this story Related Articles Minnesota jobs facts flat in April net jobs lost Trooper accused of producing child porn faces new charges in federal indictment MN memorial for fallen officers includes killed nearly years ago Crews tackling fastest-moving St Louis County wildfire as weather conditions improve Stillwater prison to close as part of budget deal reached by state leaders