Recovery efforts take shape in Two Harbors after Stewart Trail Fire

In the days following the Stewart Trail Fire, officials in Two Harbors are beginning to shift their focus from emergency response to recovery efforts.

Two Harbors Mayor Lew Conner said local officials and community members are still working through what the recovery phase will look like and how best to organize support for those affected.

“So it’s gonna have to be some planning that goes around to get things organized and come up with some sort of plan to assist people over the next few weeks,” Conner said.

The Stewart Trail Fire, which began on Friday, May 15, burned 356 acres and destroyed 34 structures, eight of which were homes and 26 were outbuildings.

While long-term recovery plans are still in the initial planning phases, Lake County officials released information on Wednesday on how individuals can help and support families affected by the Stewart Trail Fire in the immediate aftermath.

Lake County partnered with Head of the Lakes United Way to receive and distribute financial donations supporting individuals and families affected by the fire.

Head of the Lakes United Way will serve as the fiscal agent for donated funds and will administer assistance. Individuals and families affected by the fire are eligible to apply for assistance, Lake County officials said. Donations made by June 30 will go toward supporting families, and donations made after June 30 will be designated for programs supporting community members in Lake County, officials said. Find the Head of the Lakes United Way wildfire relief link here.

Other ways to support those affected by the Stewart Trail Fire include donating food to the Two Harbors Food Shelf. Lake County officials said that for large food donations, individuals should call ahead to confirm storage capacity and delivery arrangements.

Donations of specific items such as clothing, household goods, and furniture have not yet been identified, Lake County officials said.

Conner said officials plan to continue assessing the needs of those impacted by the Stewart Trail Fire and provide support where needed.

Several businesses in Two Harbors and organizations across the region have also begun offering recovery resources and assistance for those impacted by the fire.

Staff at the Rustic Inn Cafe were among the property owners who lost their homes in the Stewart Trail Fire. The business shared a GoFundMe on its Facebook page to help LouAnn and Rick Johnson and their family after losing their home in the wildfire.

A group of Brimson, Minn., residents and community members called Brimson Strong has also reached out to Two Harbors residents to provide assistance and share resources. Many members of the Brimson Strong group lost their homes in the Camp House Fire in May 2025.

“We want to help support our neighboring community however we can,” the Brimson Strong group said in a Facebook post.

The Brimson Strong group offered to connect those impacted by the Stewart Trail Fire with the same resources and organizations that many Brimson homeowners worked with during the Camp House Fire recovery. The group said while they can’t offer financial support at this time, “We would absolutely be happy to help mentor and guide you toward resources that may be available for recovery.”

Conner said he is impressed and “very appreciative” that groups like Brimson Strong have reached out, and that nearly a dozen local Two Harbors businesses have stepped up since the fire began to offer food and support for those impacted.

WTIP’s Kalli Hawkins spoke with Two Harbors Mayor Lew Conner to reflect on the Stewart Trail fire, talk about ongoing recovery efforts, and community response to the wildfire. Audio from the interview is below.

Kalli Hawkins May 21, 2026