"The fire’s rapid expansion to over 7,000 acres and the substantial resources committed—over 160 personnel at peak—highlight its significance in the region’s wildfire season. Its eventual full containment after 50 days demonstrates effective suppression efforts."
The Sioux wildfire, located 20 miles northwest of Ely in St. Louis County, Minnesota, was discovered on July 9, 2026 and is a natural‑cause fire under USFS jurisdiction. It grew to a peak of 7,094 acres on August 6 before shrinking to 6,833 acres by August 28, when containment reached 90%. Over the course of the incident, containment increased steadily from 21% to 100% by September 8, with personnel fluctuating from 165 at the start to 61 in the final reports. Fire behavior evolved from minimal to moderate flanking and backing, then to minimal creeping and smoldering as containment improved. The incident incurred an estimated cost of $8,493,725.
Official source description: 20 Miles NW 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; however, general wildfire safety precautions remain advised in the area.
IRWIN ID: {A97EA875-A42D-4825-A065-EB7CDB7BFBE1}
Discovered: Jul 9, 2026
Cause: Natural
Managing Agency: USFS
Est. Cost to Date: $8,493,725
Coordinates: 48.1531, -92.2239
Other wildfires that have recently been contained or dropped from official tracking in MN.
The Sioux Fire has burned 6,833 acres as of September 8, 2026.
Yes, the Sioux Fire is fully contained (100%).
The official cause has been listed as: Natural.
The Sioux Fire is burning in St. Louis, MN.
Yes, as of the latest official update, the Sioux Fire remains active.
Real-time map, acreage, and containment for every major U.S. wildfire, updated from official NIFC data.
View Live Map →