Wildfire season in Minnesota is off to an early and devastating start. At least three wildfires are currently burning in northeastern Minnesota.
The fires have consumed thousands of acres of woodland, destroyed several dozen structures, and prompted evacuations of people who live there.
The Camp House Fire started Sunday near Brimson, while two other fires, Jenkins Creek and Munger Shaw Road, were reported Monday.
Greg Ruberg owns a cabin in the area and talked WCCO-TV.
"I have not heard if my cabin is OK," says Ruberg. "I do know that the neighboring two cabins, including the garages, have burned completely to the ground."
Both the Camp House and Jenkins Creek fires have burned more than a thousand acres and there has been very little contained so far. There have been no injuries reported.
Governor Walz has authorized the Minnesota National Guard and Interagency Fire Center to help stop the fires from spreading.
"People have lived up here for years. It's a livelihood, I mean, everything they got is here, so that's why it's so scary," explained one man who lives in the area where many have been evacuated.
About thirty miles north of there, the Jenkins Creek Fire has consumed even more acreage -about 1,500 near Hoyt Lakes.
Officials revealed information about that fire Monday, not long before the Munger Shaw fire was reported near the town of Shaw.
National Weather Service Meteorologist Tyler Hasenstein says conditions are likely to continue for the next two days - with unusual heat, high winds and low humidity.
"What that means is that our humidity is down below 25%, 20%, even 15% in some cases," Hasenstein explains. "And that, alongside any sort of wind, makes for some pretty extreme fire weather conditions and red flag conditions."
A Red Flag Warning is in effect for much of western and northern Minnesota. The Twin Cities was not included, but there is still an elevated fire danger in the metro as well, with the high temps and low humidity again Tuesday.
Also, again Tuesday comes an Air Quality Alert in effect for much of the state. It's actually two, separate Alerts. It's expected to reach the Orange or "unhealthy for sensitive groups" category in the western half of Minnesota and does include the Twin Cities. People with heart or lung issues, older adults or younger children should monitor their time outside.
Then there is a separate alert due to wildfire smoke in the northeastern section of the state.
It does sound like relief is on the way however. There is some rain and cooler temps in the forecast later this week according to WCCO-TV chief meteorologist Chris Shaffer. But it's still 80s, breezy and dry Tuesday and Wednesday.
"Finally, the pattern changes on Thursday," says Shaffer. "A chance of showers and isolated thunderstorms, and a big cooldown Friday through the weekend. Our highs will only be in the 60s."