Overview
- The Minnesota Department of Natural Resources announced Thursday that it is pursuing an estimated $4.3 million in civil damages from Parker John Wilson to cover the state’s costs fighting the May 2025 Camp House Fire.
- The Camp House Fire burned roughly 12,000 acres near Brimson and destroyed or damaged more than 180 structures, requiring hundreds of firefighters and a month of suppression work.
- Wilson pleaded guilty in November 2025 to the misdemeanor forestry offense of "failure to extinguish a fire" and paid nominal court fees, a result that drew criticism from local officials and residents.
- The DNR says its $4.3 million claim covers only state suppression costs such as personnel, aircraft and equipment, does not include private property losses, and does not initially consider the defendant’s ability to pay.
- The case is in active litigation and the DNR has declined to provide further details; St. Louis County previously estimated at least $2.3 million in private losses and about $2.8 million in public infrastructure damage from the blaze.