“People of Interest” identified in one of northeastern Minnesota’s wildfires

Tourist staple Betty's Pies reopens as the Stewart Trail Fire is 100% contained

CROW WING CO., Minn. (KVRR/FOX9) — Minnesota DNR says they have identified the origin of the Flanders Fire and have identified “people of interest” in connection to the fire.

That is the wildfire burning near Breezy Point in Crow Wing County.

Investigators say they have also identified the origin of the fire near the north shore of Flanders Lake.

Now, they are looking for any video or information people there can share from Friday to Sunday.

Crow Wing County Sheriff’s Office has lifted evacuations as crews made major progress overnight and this morning.

The Stewart Trail fire is 100 percent contained thanks to rain.

Crews are patrolling to make sure pockets of heat are extinguished before people return to their homes.

“Still is dry conditions in the forest in central Minnesota so even though we’ve got cooler temperatures and some rainfall which helps firefighting efforts, people should still be careful,” said Tim Engrav, Minnesota Incident Command Spokesman.

Highway 61 along the north shore was expected to reopen tonight.

After coming too close for comfort with a wildfire, tourist hot spot Betty’s Pies in Two Harbors, Minnesota has reopened.

In a social media post, owner Carl Ehlenz is inviting any forest workers, firefighters, volunteers and anyone affected by the fires to come in today for a free meal.

“I’m just super thankful for the fire department, all the EMTs, everybody, the volunteers, the forest service,” said Ehlenz.

The restaurant was closed since the fires started last Friday.