"The fire’s rapid growth from 17,700 to nearly 25,000 acres in a week, combined with the large number of personnel deployed, highlights the significant resource commitment required to manage a natural wildfire of this scale in Minnesota."
The Thumb wildfire, located 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 17,693 acres and was 50% contained with 72 personnel on the scene. The fire fluctuated in size—dropping to 17,634 acres on August 8, then expanding to 24,753 acres on August 14—while containment slipped to 35% before steadily rising to 97% by August 31 and reaching 100% containment on September 8. Throughout the timeline, personnel numbers rose to a peak of 152 on August 15, and the fire behavior shifted from moderate flanking and backing to minimal creeping and smoldering as containment improved.
Official source description: 5 Miles S from Lac la Croix, 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).
With the fire now fully contained and behavior minimal, general wildfire safety guidance applies; remain aware of local advisories and avoid any outdoor activities that could spark new fires.
IRWIN ID: {95CE0306-59C6-4E05-B2CC-40C69E601413}
Discovered: Jul 7, 2026
Cause: Natural
Managing Agency: USFS
Est. Cost to Date: $4,450,205
Coordinates: 48.2877, -92.1922
Other wildfires that have recently been contained or dropped from official tracking in MN.
The Thumb Fire has burned 25,015 acres as of September 8, 2026.
Yes, the Thumb Fire is fully contained (100%).
The official cause has been listed as: Natural.
The Thumb Fire is burning in St. Louis, MN.
Yes, as of the latest official update, the Thumb Fire remains active.
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