"This incident is notable for its rapid growth to over 30,000 acres and the substantial resources committed—over 500 personnel at peak—yet it was ultimately contained within a month, illustrating effective suppression in a remote area."
The Bear Trap wildfire, located 20 miles north of Ely in St. Louis County, Minnesota, was discovered on July 7, 2026 and is a natural‑cause fire under USFS jurisdiction. By August 6 it had burned 29,764 acres and was 40% contained, with 483 personnel on the scene. The fire fluctuated slightly in size—dropping to 29,705 acres on August 8, rising to 30,022 acres on August 9, and peaking at 30,124 acres on August 17—while containment steadily improved from 40% to 97% by September 5, and finally reaching 100% containment on September 8. Fire behavior remained minimal or moderate with occasional flanking, backing, and isolated torching, and the incident cost estimate climbed from $23.4 million on August 7 to $56.8 million by August 27, stabilizing around $57 million as containment closed.
Official source description: 20 Miles N from Ely, MN
Minimal; Smoldering; Creeping
Good air quality. Outdoor activity is generally safe near this incident.
Nearest reporting station: North Central Minnesota. Source: AirNow.gov (EPA).
The fire is now fully contained and behavior is minimal; standard wildfire safety precautions remain advised for the surrounding region.
IRWIN ID: {1BB1F12F-DB68-40B0-8D7B-FA0E4FCEE2E4}
Discovered: Jul 7, 2026
Cause: Natural
Managing Agency: USFS
Est. Cost to Date: $56,767,493
Coordinates: 48.1845, -91.9247
Other wildfires that have recently been contained or dropped from official tracking in MN.
The Bear Trap Fire has burned 30,804 acres as of September 8, 2026.
Yes, the Bear Trap Fire is fully contained (100%).
The official cause has been listed as: Natural.
The Bear Trap Fire is burning in St. Louis, MN.
No, the Bear Trap Fire is no longer listed as active by NIFC.
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