Small Fire Burning in Itasca State Park

(KNSI) — Another wildfire has popped up in a popular tourist destination. This time it’s in Itasca State Park.

The fire was discovered Wednesday afternoon, according to the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources. The Clearwater County Sheriff’s Office says they got the report of a fire burning in timber, lowland grasses, and brush in a remote area of the park at the end of Bohall Trail and on the north side of Bohall Lake.

According to a press release from the DNR, Lake Itasca and Shevlin Fire Department engines responded, along with 10 Minnesota Department of Natural Resources Division of Forestry engines. DNR air resources responded, including two helicopters, one single engine air tanker airplane, one Fire Boss airplane, and an air attack plane.

No structures have been damaged, and there are no injuries, but evacuations are underway. The DNR says park staff evacuated Bert’s Cabins and the Ozawindib cabin, located on the park’s north side, as a precautionary measure.

The Greenwood Fire in the Superior National Forest, the John Ek and Whelp Fires in the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness have scorched thousands of acres since igniting among the worst drought conditions Minnesota has experienced in years.

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