It's all hands on deck in Northern Minnesota, with three large fires burning.
This comes after Minnesota Governor Tim Walz activated the National Guard to assist in combating the blazes that have destroyed hundreds of acres and forced evacuations.
Walz spoke to reporters and weighed-in on the latest conditions. He says right now people need to take this situation seriously.
"Developing situation, still incredibly dangerous," says Walz. "It's gonna take a few days. We're hoping again that Thursday looks like there's some rain and some cooler temperatures on the horizon."
The National Weather Service has now issued a Red Flag Warning for only 65 counties, down from 80 counties on Monday. But the situation north of Duluth is by far the most precarious right now.
"They are 0% contained at this time," Walz explained Tuesday afternoon. "These are dangerous fires that are still moving, still threatening. I would make the case, and again, the plea for your own safety if folks come along and ask for an evacuation. I know these are difficult decisions to make. We would ask that you please do so. It's not only for your own safety, it's for the firefighter's safety because protecting these buildings and life puts them at risk.
St. Louis County Sheriff Gordon Ramsay says firefighters on the ground are working in "dangerous conditions." Ramsey says with crews responding to about 80 smaller fires across the state in addition to the three larger blazes.
Ramsey adds more than 40 structures have burned, and they have had to make some quick decisions when it comes to evacuations where not everyone has been on board as the governor noted.
"You know, there was one individual at near a lake that said I'm not leaving my house, the only way I'm gonna leave here is with my toes up," Ramsey explained. "People get frustrated when their homes or cabins, they can't get information and tje complexity of these three fires, we want to get as much information out to the public as possible."
Ramsey did say they're doing their best to communicate with residents.
"We want to get them answers, so I'm happy to talk anytime to help provide information or clarity," Ramsey said Tuesday. "And if I can, I'd be happy to go on the shows, but communication is some of the things I'm hearing frustration from some of the neighbors like, 'well, what's going on with my house? When can I get in?' It's just not safe for them to go in there at this time in the areas that are closed off. Well, I have tremendous sympathy and empathy for the situation they're in. It's just dangerous for them to go in, so we're not allowing people to go into a lot of these areas."
Walz says the number of fires the state has seen already this spring is concerning.
"Minnesota experiences a little over 1,100 fires a year," says Walz. "We've already had 970. Sunday alone we had 40."