Walz visits Two Harbors after Stewart Trail Fire damage

Tim Walz’s visit to Two Harbors put the focus on what Lake County still needs after the Stewart Trail Fire: help replacing lost homes and outbuildings, cleanup support, and a steady state presence as recovery moves from emergency response to the long haul. The governor’s office said Walz came to northeastern Minnesota on May 18 to survey wildfire damage and meet with crews, local officials, first responders and residents affected by the fire.

The Stewart Trail Fire started May 15 about 3 miles north of Two Harbors and quickly became a public safety crisis along Highway 61. Local coverage showed flames on both sides of the highway near the Silver Cliff Tunnel, with evacuations and a closure that cut off traffic on a key North Shore route. By the May 18 county update, the fire had reached 355 acres, was 62% contained and had destroyed 34 structures, including 8 primary homes and 26 outbuildings.

Lake County said the cause was a power line. Officials lifted all evacuation zones by May 19, and Highway 61 reopened to traffic, but crews were still monitoring the fire and continuing mop-up work. For families who left on short notice, the immediate danger had eased, but the harder work of replacing property, documenting losses and finding a place in the recovery process had only begun.

That is where the practical value of Walz’s stop matters. Lake County has already moved to organize donations through Head of the Lakes United Way, which is serving as fiscal agent and charging no administrative fees. County officials said all individuals and families affected by the fire will be eligible to apply for assistance, giving residents and businesses a path to support as they sort through damage and next steps.

The visit also carried a broader North Shore message. Walz was back in the Two Harbors area less than a year after he, U.S. Sens. Amy Klobuchar and Tina Smith surveyed another round of wildfires that burned more than 32,000 acres across the region, including the Camp House, Jenkins Creek and Munger Shaw fires. For Lake County, that history makes the current recovery more than a one-off emergency: it is another test of whether state, county and federal partners can stay engaged after the cameras move on.