Minnesota Fires

Cooler Fall Weather Moderates Minnesota Fire Activity as Santiago Fire Is Contained

A sharp autumn cold front has brought seasonal temperatures across Minnesota, significantly subduing fire behavior after unseasonable weekend warmth. Firefighters have fully contained the grass fire in Sherburne National Wildlife Refuge with no reported injuries or structure damage. Fire potential across the state remains low as cooler, damp conditions settle in.

Key Fires

• Santiago Fire — Burning within the Sherburne National Wildlife Refuge in Sherburne County, the Santiago Fire is now contained following weekend smoke closures. No structures were damaged and area roads have reopened, though visitors are asked to avoid interior refuge access roads while equipment demobilizes.

Conditions and Outlook

No Red Flag Warnings or Fire Weather Watches are active in Minnesota, and significant fire potential is expected to remain low statewide. Overcast skies, cool temperatures, and chances of rain will persist across the state through midweek alongside gusty northwest winds. A shift to southerly breezes and slightly milder weather is expected heading into the weekend.

Burn Bans and Land Management

Open burning permits are required for vegetative debris across numerous central and southern counties, while southeastern forests maintain high fire danger. Taking advantage of moderated conditions, agencies are conducting pile burning in the Superior National Forest and have completed a cultural prescribed burn on Minnesota Point.

What Residents Should Do

• Obtain a DNR permit before conducting any open burning of vegetative debris in regulated counties.
• Avoid interior Department of Natural Resources access roads in the Sherburne National Wildlife Refuge.
• Use caution with outdoor burning in southeastern Minnesota, where dry ground fuels remain vulnerable to ignition.