Fire crews responding to wildfire near Two Harbors, leading to closure of Highway 61
Updated 6:45 p.m.
Firefighters and law enforcement are responding to a wildfire near Two Harbors that has destroyed multiple structures and led to the closure of Highway 61.
The Steward Trail wildfire began Friday afternoon, approximately three miles north of Two Harbors. At approximately 4 p.m. fire crews reported the wildfire was on both sides of Highway 61. The Steward Trail fire is estimated at 50 acres and is 0% contained, according to the Minnesota Incident Command.
Highway 61 is impacted by heavy smoke and the public is asked to avoid traveling through the area for their safety and the safety of fire personnel. At approximately 5 p.m. the fire reached the top of a hill at Silver Creek Cliff Tunnel.
Fire crews and law enforcement are conducting evacuations from homes in the surrounding vicinity of the wildfire. There are active evacuation order for several areas north of Two Harbors. View the evacuation order map here.
A graphic from the Minnesota Department of Transportation 511mn.org of the closure is below: 
Agencies responding to the Stewart Trail Fire are the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources (DNR), U.S. Forest Service, local fire departments and the St. Louis County Sheriff’s Office.
Video below of aircraft scooping water from Lake Superior near Two Harbors. Video by Beth Gamache.
Below is a video shared with WTIP Friday evening of the wildfire conditions and motorists turning around on Highway 61.
Another wildfire began on Friday in northern Minnesota amid dry conditions and red flag warnings. Fire crews near Gilbert are responding to a wildfire estimated to be at 25 acres and 0% contained. Minnesota Highway 135 is impacted and the public is asked to avoid the area for their safety and the safety of fire personnel.
On Friday evening at 6 p.m. the St. Louis County Sheriff’s Office said there were eight wildfires currently burning in the county. In addition to the Highway 135 wildfire, fire crews are responding to several other smaller fires scattered across the county.
Active Wildfires in St. Louis County as of Friday, May 15 | Graphic by Watch Duty
“The County has activated its Emergency Operations Center to ensure a coordinated response and shared information on the existing fires, and due to concerns of additional fires that could start during the extreme fire risk conditions,” the St. Louis County Sheriff’s Office said in a news release.
Several of the wildfires were started by burning cardboard while a few of the other wildfires were started as a result of trees falling on power lines, the Sheriff’s Office said.
“Absolutely no outdoor burning should be occurring right now due to the high winds and dry conditions,” the Sheriff’s Office said.
The National Weather Service in Duluth reported wind gusts of 30-40 miles per hour on Friday afternoon. Wind speeds are expected to lessen by around 9 p.m. Friday evening, and humidity levels are expected to improve, though the fire risk will remain elevated through the weekend.
Kalli Hawkins May 15, 2026
