Oxcart fire

topographic map with yellow dot and orange boundary line
The Oxcart fire identified by the yellow dot and orange boundary line. Map retrieved from InForm.firenet.gov.

  • Size: 12,907 acres
  • Detected: March 29, 2021
  • Location: Red Lake County, Minn., within the Glacial Ridge National Wildlife Refuge, west of Mentor, Minn.
  • Incident Management Team: MNICS Team A, Incident Commander Ernest Schmitt
  • Cooperating agencies: U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Minnesota Department of Natural Resources

During the late afternoon hours of Monday, March 29, 2021, a wildland fire was detected within the Glacial Ridge National Wildlife Refuge, approximately seven miles west of Mentor, Minnesota. Red flag conditions, including strong gusty winds, unseasonable warm temperatures amid prolonged moderate drought conditions (building since the fall of 2020), contributed to the rapid progression of the Oxcart fire. The fire consumed 12,907 acres of grassland and brush.

Initial attack response included ground wildland fire crews from U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Minnesota DNR, and 12 local fire departments, along with five single-engine air tankers, a large air tanker, and a helicopter. Smoke and the rapid-fire progression prompted the temporary closures of U.S. Highway 2, State Highway 32, and Polk County Highway 45 during the evening hours as the fire jumped the U.S. Highway 2 corridor to the north, and State Highway 32 to the west.

A Minnesota Incident Command Team, led by Incident Commander Ernest Schmidt, was requested to assume management of the Oxcart fire on Tuesday, March 30, 2021. The team coordinated the operational, planning and logistical support of managing the fire crews and equipment supporting the containment efforts of the fire. Spring weather conditions brought a mix of blustery conditions, rain, and freezing temps. During periods of freezing temperatures, the use of helicopter buckets could not be utilized due to equipment icing over.

The team remained in command of the fire through Saturday, April 2, 2021, when they transitioned management of the fire to a smaller local fire organization. Throughout the 2021 wildfire season, lingering pockets of peat soil heat continued to manifest within the burn scar area as conditions progressed toward extreme drought. U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service monitored the burn area throughout the season, extinguishing the heat pockets as they were identified.

  • night scene with orange flames in a field
    Oxcart fire activity continued into the night, burning through many acres of the Glacial Ridge National Wildlife Refuge.
  • Kiosks stand between burned and unburned field.
    The Oxcart fire moved swiftly through Glacial Ridge National Wildlife Refuge, backing down to smoldering hotspots by morning.
  • Heavy smoke plume rises into the sky.
    Building drought conditions mixed with a lack of snow and a warm, windy front allowed the Oxcart fire to spread rapidly.
  • Aircraft drops water on smoky area next to farm equipment.
    Aircraft, like the Fire Boss dropping water near farm equipment and buildings, helped slow the rapidly growing Oxcart fire.
  • A Fire Boss aircraft drops water at sunset.
    Aircraft remained on scene until sunset, adhering to safety protocols. Ground crews remained throughout the night.
  • Firefighter climbs truck as helicopter hovers over lake.
    The rapid transition from warm temperatures to freezing temperatures with scattered snow showers made mop up work with helicopter bucket drops on the Oxcart fire a challenge.
  • Firefighter next to engine faces helicopter with bucket
    Cooling hotspots with helicopter bucket drops continued the next several days as cold temperatures allowed.
  • Helicopter releases water from bucket over a field and trees.
    Cooling hotspots with helicopter bucket drops continued the next several days as cold temperatures allowed.
  • Two firefighters spray water on smoky brush with hose
    Ground crews mop up a smoldering hotspot in a brush area along the Oxcart fire perimeter.