The 2025 Minnesota wildfires were a series of wildfires that burned in the U.S. state of Minnesota.

Background

While "fire season" varies every year in Minnesota, most wildfires occur in April and May. On average, over 1,500 wildfires occur each year, and 75% of those occur in those months. However, there is another small peak in fall. This happens when snow melts, so vegetation begins to dry out, and more dry and windy conditions lead to more fire activity. While precipitation can moisten vegetation, it quickly dries up within an hour. Dry winters can make vegetation much more vulnerable to wildfires.

Summary In early May, unseasonably warm temperatures, dry fuels, strong winds, and increasing levels of drought influenced the quick spread of the Camp House, Jenkins Creek, and Munger Shaw Fires, which collectively destroyed about 150 structures. The fires were fueled by balsam fir and spruce trees infested by the eastern spruce budworm. The budworms killed trees and made them drop pine needles at an "alarming rate." All of these conditions were considered "unprecedented", and Governor Tim Walz activated National Guard to combat the fires. The wildfires resulted in an air quality alert for Northern Minnesota. About burn in Minnesota every year, but in May alone, these fires burned more than triple the average acreage, over . List of wildfires

The following is a list of fires that burned more than , produced significant structural damage, or resulted in casualties. NameCounty AcresStart dateContainment dateNotesRef.DugdalePolk3,744Undetermined cause. Burned about southwest of Mentor. Partridge TwoMorrison2,300Human-caused. Burned about southeast of Pierz. Camp HouseLake, St. Louis12,071Destroyed about 150 structures along with the Jenkins Creek Fire, mostly residential and cabins, and led to evacuations near Brimson. Caused by an unattended campfire. Part of the Brimson Complex.Jenkins CreekSt. Louis16,490Caused by a discarded cigarette. Destroyed about 150 structures along with the Camp House Fire. Part of the Brimson Complex.Munger ShawSt. Louis1,259Caused by a bale of hay that caught fire. Destroyed one structure.

See also 2025 United States wildfires

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