Full Breakdown
Stewart Trail Fire Near Two Harbors: 376-Acre Blaze Forces Highway 61 Closure and Evacuations
5/16/2026, 10:53:48 PM
Incident Overview
On Friday afternoon, May 15, 2026, a wildfire ignited near Stewart Trail, about three miles north of Two Harbors, Lake County, Minnesota. The blaze spread rapidly under a statewide Red Flag Warning covering 54 counties, with low humidity and 30-40 mph wind gusts. Evacuations were ordered for homes between the ignition point and the Castle Danger Brewery, and U.S. Highway 61 was closed at County Highway 2 and at West Castle Danger Road (County Highway 106). A detour through Silver Bay was established.
Timeline and Statistics
Friday 4 p.m.: fire reported on both sides of Highway 61; size estimated 20-50 acres. Friday 8:27 p.m.: MNICS listed 0 % containment and 100 acres. Saturday 6 a.m.: Type 3 MNICS team assumed command, updating acreage to 376 acres. Throughout Saturday, aerial water and retardant drops and dozer-built firebreaks were applied while Highway 61 remained closed. Reported size ranges from 20-50 acres to 376 acres; containment stays at 0 %. MNICS has deployed 108 personnel, helicopters, scooper planes, a single-engine airtanker, and bulldozers.
Official Response
The Minnesota Incident Command System (MNICS), Minnesota DNR, U.S. Forest Service, local fire departments, St. Louis County Sheriff’s Office, MnDOT, and the Minnesota Interagency Fire Center coordinated the effort. Governor Tim Walz said multiple agencies were assisting communities with the wildfires. The DNR warned that fires could spread quickly and become uncontrollable under the forecasted low humidity and high winds. MNICS indicated that structure protection would continue throughout the affected area. The Sheriff’s Office urged residents to avoid any outdoor burning.
Local Impact and Criticism
Businesses such as Betty’s Pies and the Rustic Inn Cafe closed; the cafe lost all possessions. Multiple structures suffered damage, though the full extent is unverified. Investigators linked several St. Louis County fires to residents burning cardboard, prompting the Sheriff’s Office to declare, “Absolutely no outdoor burning should be occurring right now due to the high winds and dry conditions.” Evacuation alerts were issued via the “Ready, Set, Go” system, with checkpoints at the Two Harbors Hockey Arena.
Conflicting Data
Source reports list the fire at 20-50 acres, 100 acres, and 376 acres, reflecting rapid reassessments. No injuries have been confirmed, and the fire’s cause remains under investigation.
Verbatim Quotes
- “Structure protection will continue throughout the affected area.” — Fire officials, MNICS
- “We have a number of agencies responding to help communities with the ongoing wildfires up north,” — Governor Tim Walz
- “stepping into harm’s way to keep their neighbors safe.” — Governor Tim Walz
- “Absolutely no outdoor burning should be occurring right now due to the high winds and dry conditions,” — St. Louis County Sheriff’s Office
Outlook
Fire crews will continue aerial drops and dozer work through the weekend while humidity modestly rises. Highway 61 stays closed until officials deem the area safe for travel.
