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Sheriff Ramsey briefs county board: three active fires in St. Louis County, residents urged to prepare for evacuations
Summary
St. Louis County Sheriff Ramsey told the board three large fires are burning in the northern part of the county, with zero containment on two and evacuations in several areas; officials advised residents to monitor county resources and have evacuation plans prepared.
St. Louis County Sheriff Ramsey updated the board on three major wildfires affecting the county and urged residents near active incidents to be prepared to evacuate.
"We have got three major fires," Sheriff Ramsey said, identifying the Brimson (Brimston) fire at over 12,000 acres and growing, the Jenkins Creek fire at about 6,800 acres and growing, and the Mungershaw (3 Lakes Road) fire at roughly 1,300 acres. He told commissioners that containment was listed as zero for the Brimson and Jenkins Creek fires and that the Mungershaw fire was "somewhat contained" but flaring.
Ramsey said more than 40 structures, including year-round houses and cabins, have been lost in the Brimson area but that there were no confirmed injuries. He said incident commands expected a very dangerous day for fire conditions and asked residents in threatened areas to have evacuation plans ready. The sheriff said federal, state and local air and ground resources had been mobilized, with additional federal aircraft and crews arriving to support suppression efforts.
Board members asked about public notification and on-the-ground outreach. Ramsey said the county maintained GIS evacuation maps and a short URL (saintlouiscountymn.gov/wildfire) for the latest evacuation zones and urged residents to check that page. He said deputies and rescue squads have been doing door-to-door checks in rural areas and that the county is documenting where crews made contact and whether residents left or chose to stay. Ramsey said the county was encouraging the DNR and U.S. Forest Service to meet with affected neighbors to answer technical questions that law enforcement cannot.
Commissioners thanked law enforcement, volunteers and federal partners and emphasized the challenges of multi-incident communications. The sheriff said road and recreational area closures were expected in multiple locations, and that residents should heed evacuation orders and public-safety warnings.
