Wildfire season has been normal in northern Minnesota, at least by recent standards. Nevertheless, it’s been more dramatic than usual. Extreme wind and dry conditions caused a shotgun blast of fires last week. Highway 61 closed on the North Shore. Water planes filled up in Lake Superior. Over near Crosslake, an even larger fire flared up. Though increasingly contained, these fires are still burning. Dozens of homes and structures have been lost, however, which is devastating.
Today’s column (gift link) looks at how fire season works. Smokey Bear is right. We can prevent fires and help those who fight them. One way NOT to do that is to shoot the tail of a water bomber when it scoops up water at your local lake. One man did this for yet unknown reasons, and will pay a legal price for his folly.
Read “As wildfires burn in northern Minnesota, here’s how you can help” in the Tuesday, May 19, 2026 edition of the Minnesota Star Tribune.
Aaron J. Brown is a columnist and member of the editorial board for the Minnesota Star Tribune. His new book about Hibbing Mayor Victor Power and his momentous fight against the world’s largest corporation will be out soon.
