Minnesota Wildfire Spreads South

The Pagami Creek wildfire in Minnesota spread south this week; while in the northwest, crews have been able to contain it. The fire started with a lightning strike Aug. 18 and has affected about 100,000 acres of forest, officials say. Roads are closed, houses have been evacuated, and smoke is heavy in the area.

“The National Guard is sending four Blackhawk helicopters and Manitoba is sending two water bombers and an air attack plane” to fight the fire, according to a statement from the U.S. Forest Service. About 230 people are working on the fire, using heavy equipment to create firebreaks. The area has been suffering from a drought, but low temperatures and higher humidity this week are helping to slow the fire.

The fire is in difficult terrain, mostly wilderness with few roads, according to an announcement from The Superior National Forest and the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources.