Fire crews are working to put out a large wildfire in a remote area in northern Minnesota.
The fire near Tofte on Lake Superior is at 50% containment according to the Minnesota Interagency Fire Center.
Spokesperson Leanne Langeberg says they believe a lightning strike is what started the fire.
"It's kind of day-by-day, depending on how the weather works out with them, with the work that they're doing," says Langeberg. "And they'll continue focusing on that fire until we have it 100% contained."
Northern Minnesota has seen several large wildfires this summer. The Camp House Fire and Jenkins Creek Fire both started in May and took weeks to get under control.
Langeberg said work is continuing on the Crosby Manitou State Park fire.
"They're working to establish that containment line, so that's clearing out any vegetation like downed leaves that could catch and carry fire," she explains. "And then as they go along, to help strengthen that containment line, they focus on what we refer to as mop up, and that's extinguishing any heat that they find in some of those heavier type fuels like stumps or down logs."
The fire started last Wednesday, and officials say it appears it began with a lightning strike. It's in a remote area of the park and Langeberg said conditions for fire are ripe.
"But we've come close with near critical fire weather conditions," she adds. "It's fall, so we've got frost that has moved through a good portion of northern Minnesota. A lot of that vegetation that would hold water throughout the growing season is starting to die back as we head into winter. So if it can't retain moisture, it is more susceptible to a wildfire."
Crews are dealing with steep terrain that's making access difficult. Several trails, including a portion of the Superior Hiking Trail, are closed and the public is asked to avoid the area despite it being a very popular time along that part of the Lake Superior, North Shore area.