Overview
- The wildfire near Gilbert, reported Friday around 12:45 p.m., led to a closure of Highway 135 between Virginia and Gilbert and a request that people stay away.
- The Minnesota Interagency Fire Center estimated the blaze at about 25 acres in the afternoon, and officials had not identified a cause or reported building damage.
- Fire crews from the Minnesota DNR, the U.S. Forest Service, and local departments deployed aircraft and ground teams, with the county sheriff noting strong air support.
- Strong west winds over 35 mph and humidity below 20 percent prompted Red Flag warnings, creating conditions that let grass and brush fires spread quickly.
- Separate fires also forced closures on Highway 61 near Two Harbors and Highway 33 north of Cloquet, according to the state transportation agency.