Stewart Trail Fire grows to 100 acres near Two Harbors, triggers evacuations

A fast-moving wildfire north of Two Harbors pushed officials into an urgent response Friday as the Stewart Trail Fire grew to 100 acres, stayed at 0% containment and sent smoke across Highway 61. The blaze, first spotted around 2:30 p.m. near Stewart Trail and Highway 61, moved on both sides of the corridor, putting nearby homes, structures and travelers at immediate risk.

Crews initially estimated the fire at about 50 acres, but that figure climbed sharply as the evening wore on and the fire spread through dry fuels and difficult terrain. By late Friday, officials had issued additional evacuation notices and alerts as the situation intensified, and responders asked for extra support to protect structures in the 1800 block of Loop Road. The rapid expansion underscored how quickly a roadside fire can become a community threat when it has room to run and no containment line is holding.

Highway 61, one of the North Shore’s busiest routes, was hit by heavy smoke, and the public was urged to avoid the area so firefighters and emergency crews could work safely. That traffic disruption added another layer of pressure for Lake County residents and travelers already dealing with a fire moving close to homes and infrastructure. When smoke cuts visibility on the highway and aircraft are being used overhead, even short delays in keeping the corridor clear can complicate the response.

Air support was brought in as the fire grew, a sign that ground crews needed help keeping pace with the flames. Officials also warned that drones were not allowed near the incident, a restriction meant to keep suppression aircraft out of danger and preserve the airspace needed for operations. The request for added resources, along with the evacuation notices, showed a response trying to stay ahead of a fire that was still expanding faster than crews could contain it.

For Two Harbors and the surrounding Lake County area, the Stewart Trail Fire became a stark reminder of how quickly spring fire danger can turn into a direct threat. With the fire still at 0% containment Friday evening, the next 12 to 24 hours were likely to be critical for homes near Stewart Trail, the Loop Road area and anyone trying to move along Highway 61.