Fridley residents, the northwoods community is where they escape year-round. Today, they learned from their neighbors that all that remains on their property is their chimney. “We lost everything,” she said,

The devastating wildfires that are consuming thousands of acres of forest in northern Minnesota have been exacerbated by the actions of a wood pest. Commanders responding to the trio of wildfires ongoing in St. Louis County say they have been fueled by the eastern spruce budworm.

BRIMSON, Minn. — The largest of three wildfires in St. Louis County in northern Minnesota has grown to 12,000 acres since Sunday and consumed over 40 homes, cabins and other buildings, St. Louis County Sheriff Gordon Ramsay said Tuesday.

Wildfires have exploded in size across parts of northeastern Minnesota north of Lake Superior, destroying at least 40 homes and buildings, as unseasonably high temperatures and low humidity will continue to drive dangerous fire weather on Tuesday.

A new incident command team will take over the response to the two largest fires beginning Wednesday, state officials said.

Ramsay added: "A third large fire is burning currently on both sides of Munger Shaw Road south of Three Lakes Road moving quickly in a northern direction. Residents in the east half of Cotton Township including Morley Beach Rd, Elde Road and surrounding areas should evacuate."

State and local fire teams have been leading the battle against the Camp House and Jenkins Creek fires since they broke out on Sunday and Monday respectively. Jenkins Creek fire in the distance. Camp House fire in the forefront.

An update issued at 7:46 a.m. revealed that the Jenkins Creek Fire expanded to 6,000 acres, a significant increase from the 1,500 acres it had devoured as of Monday evening.