MN wildfires: Cooler weather, rain helping firefighters

tonight. Wildfires continue to burn across northern Minnesota, but finally they are starting to be brought under control. The bear trap fire, which has burned more than 29,000 acres in the B. W. C. A. Is now 34% contained and the thumb fire, which is also in the B. W. C. A. Is 58% contained. The Sioux fire is sitting at 17% containment and the campfire near Ely is 23% contained. However, the little knife fire is still zero person contained. Now, more than 900 firefighters are battling more than a dozen wildfires in northern Minnesota. That's right now, while several of the larger fires are now seeing some levels of containment, multiple smaller fires are now listed as 100% contained. Fox nine. So young. Kim joins us live in Lake County with the latest tonight. So, so young. The cooler weather has actually helped crews gain some ground, right? Simone? That's right. Fire officials say the cooler weather and rain have helped the firefight. And let me show you where we're standing. Fernberg Road. This is where it's closed. And the closest fire to this area is the campfire. Evacuation orders remain in place in Lake and ST Louis counties. And fire officials say today's focus remains on protecting life and property. Take a listen. Trying to identify those heats that may during a fire weather day addressing any issues there all across the all fires. We're looking at structure, structure assessments and structure prep. Uh, those those efforts are continuing with a lot of good work out there, having structures ready to go. But that work will continue for the foreseeable future. And we're working on that as well. And like you mentioned, a massive effort. Now, more than 900 firefighters are battling the wildfires in and around the Boundary Waters Canoe area as smoky conditions improved over the past several days. Additional use of aerial support has made a difference in the firefight and has also provided more accurate mapping of the perimeter of the wildfires. The combined size of the July lightning incident is estimated at more than 63,000 acres. The Little Knife Fire is roughly 4500 acres. Fire officials say crews have gained some containment levels like you mentioned across the fires, but say some areas will still be a long term outlook burning deep underground and three firefighters have reported minor injuries and the B. W. C. A. Remains closed and permits have been canceled at least through Friday for service. Officials say they're assessing any opportunities where they're able to reduce closure levels. We're live in Lake County tonight. So young Kim Fox nine. Yeah, we're seeing some changes there. Thank you so young.