DNR Identifies 'People Of Interest' In 1,600-Acre MN Wildfire, Seeks Camera Footage

CROW WING COUNTY, MN — The Minnesota Department of Natural Resources said Tuesday it has located the origin of the Flanders Fire, a major wildfire that has burned about 1,600 acres in Crow Wing County.

The fire began Saturday near the north shore of Flanders Lake, according to the DNR. Flanders Lake is near Crosslake, about 20 miles north of Brainerd.

Subscribe

Officials said "people of interest" have been identified. The DNR did not say whether anyone has been accused of starting the fire.

Residents and others in and around the Flanders Lake area are being asked to check trail cameras, Ring doorbell cameras, or other possible sources of information from between Friday, May 15, and Sunday, May 17.

Officials are especially interested in information from the western side of the Flanders Lake area on state land, along County Road 11 and Horseshoe Lake Road.

Anyone with information is asked to contact DNR Conservation Officer Jordan Anderson at 218-639-0782.

Crow Wing County Sheriff Eric Klang told MPR News that the Flanders Fire evacuation order had been lifted and that a campfire is being investigated as a possible cause.

So far, no homes have been reported destroyed, and no injuries have been reported.

The update comes after Gov. Tim Walz declared a peacetime emergency Sunday and mobilized the Minnesota National Guard to assist with wildfire response efforts in northern Minnesota.

The declaration came after multiple wildfires ignited and spread across portions of Lake, Crow Wing and St. Louis counties starting Friday.

Stewart Trail Fire near Two Harbors, along Minnesota’s North Shore

The Stewart Trail Fire near Two Harbors burned 34 structures, including eight primary structures, such as homes.

Authorities said Tuesday that the Stewart Trail Fire was fully contained and Highway 61 had reopened.

"Unpredictable and fast-moving wildfires are putting Minnesota communities at risk," Walz said in a statement Sunday.

"This emergency declaration ensures we can fully mobilize the resources needed to protect lives, support evacuations, and help communities respond and recover. I’m grateful to the firefighters, members of the Minnesota National Guard, and all our first responders working around the clock to keep Minnesotans safe."

The Minnesota Department of Public Safety’s Division of Homeland Security and Emergency Management has been coordinating with state and local partners to support fire suppression, evacuations, and emergency response operations.