DULUTH, Minn. – Human activity caused three major fires that devastated more than 37,000 acres of boreal forest in Minnesota’s Arrowhead last week and have continued burning The state Natural Resources Department reported:
> Jenkins Creek Fire (16,200 acres near Fairbanks and Hoyt Lakes and just north of the Camp House fire). Also started May 11. Tentatively attributed to someone discarding a cigarette along Highway 16. Culprit not yet identified.
> Camp House Fire (at last report 12,300 acres near Brimson). Started around 1 p.m. on Sunday, May 11. Campers left a campfire unattended. The fire was out when they returned and notified authorities. Criminal charges possible.
> Munger Shaw Fire (1,600 acres near Cotton and about 25 miles southwest of the Camp House fire). Started with a bale of hay catching fire and spreading quickly. Was reported by the homeowner immediately.
Penalties for starting a wildfire under Minnesota range from misdemeanors with fines to felonies with jail time. A judge can order restitution for damages. Dollar amounts of the losses haven’t been assembled. Lost have been 30 permanent homes and 120 seasonal residences and cabins. With miles of roads blocked, shops, outfitters and resorts have been affected. Firefighting itself is costly. More than 300 ground and air personnel were assembled for the Camp House and Jenkins Creek fires. About 65 were assigned to the Munger Shaw fire. The loss of dense pine and spruce forests is hard fathom
Lightning? Not cause for these fires. Nature had an an indirect role, however. The forests were dried up and vulnerable from less than normal precipitation over the winter and this spring. This, though, according to state forestry experts, was a result of human-induced climate change. Nature didn’t help. Once started, the fires spread quickly due to winds.
Historical record. Image: Minnesota Natural Resources Department