Munger Shaw Fire Quick Facts
Size: 1600 acres Location: Southeast of Cotton, MN Personnel: 65
Containment: 25% Cause: Under investigation Resources: 1 engine, 2 dozers,
Start Date: 05/12/2025 4 tracked vehicles, 1 Type One Crew
NOTE: St. Louis County has rescinded the “Go” evacuation order for the Munger Shaw Fire ONLY
Munger Shaw Overview – The Munger Shaw fire was detected late in the afternoon on Monday May 12. Minnesota DNR along with local fire departments responded. Multiple aircraft were brought in to help slow down the active flame fronts, supporting the ground firefighting efforts. The fire is active in pine and lowland fuels. St. Louis County Sheriff’s Office and Emergency Management are coordinating public safety efforts, including evacuations and road closures. Firefighters continue working to establish fire containment lines around the fire with heavy equipment and on-the-ground personnel. Temporary flight restrictions are in place. No drones are allowed near any of the fire areas. The cause of the fire is still under investigation.
Update and Planned Activities: Despite the challenging conditions accompanying yesterday’s storms, firefighters continued to make progress leading to 25% containment for the fire. An amphibious tracked vehicle, the Marsh Master, was utilized to access wet areas that were not accessible by other means for reinforcing the containment line. Today’s activities include strengthening and reinforcing existing containment lines and mop up.
National Weather Service Forecast: The forecast for the fire area today calls for cloudy conditions with high temps near 53 degrees. Between a tenth and a quarter of an inch of rain is predicted with periodic rain showers throughout the day. Winds will be breezy from the south at 10-15 mph with gusts as high as 35 mph.
Evacuations and Road Closures:
The St. Louis County Sheriff rescinded the evacuation and road closures for the Munger Shaw Fire ONLY. Due to the more favorable weather conditions and the successful work on preventing further fire spread, residents will be allowed to return to their property immediately.
We ask that residents be mindful of people working in the area as essential services continue to be restored. Stay vigilant as you drive into areas that have been impacted by the fire as road crews, firefighters, and other personnel are focused on completing their assignments. Please stay alert and pay attention.
St. Louis County Sheriff’s Office Divisions of Emergency Management and 911 have a website hub with evacuation and other fire information and Ready-Set-Go map. St. Louis County is coordinating and enforcing road closures near the Munger-Shaw fire.
St. Louis County: https://sheriff-slcgis.hub.arcgis.com/pages/wildfire
Lake County: https://www.co.lake.mn.us/emergency-management/
Donations:
Staff and firefighters working on the Munger Shaw Fire greatly appreciate all the support from the local businesses and communities. At this time, we are unable to use all of the food and drink donations we are receiving. Please be assured that our firefighters are well taken care of.
Once again, we greatly appreciate the generosity of those who want to assist. As an alternative we recommend making a contribution to these great organizations who support firefighters:
Wildland Firefighter Foundation at: https://wffoundation.org/
The Red Cross: https://www.redcross.org/donations/ways-to-donate.html
The United Way: https://www.unitedwaynemn.org/give
Cooperating Agencies: Minnesota Department of Natural Resources, Bureau of Indian Affairs, US Fish and Wildlife Service, USDA Forest Service, CN Railroad, Northland Fire Department, St. Louis County Emergency Management and St. Louis County Rescue Squad.
Burning Restrictions: For current burning restrictions, see https://www.dnr.state.mn.us/forestry/fire/firerating_restrictions.html