Walz visits Two Harbors after Stewart Trail Fire destroys 34 structures

Governor Tim Walz arrived in Two Harbors on Monday with Lake County still managing the aftermath of a wildfire that had burned roughly 355 acres, destroyed 34 structures and kept Highway 61 closed between Stewart River and the Silver Cliff Tunnel. His visit put state leadership directly in the middle of the county’s recovery fight, where the next test is whether emergency attention turns into manpower, equipment, road help and longer-term support for residents and businesses.

Walz’s office said he met with wildfire crews, local officials, first responders and impacted residents. The trip came one day after the state declared a peacetime emergency and authorized additional assistance as multiple fires had ignited since May 15 across Lake, Crow Wing and St. Louis counties. State officials said the Stewart Trail Fire near Two Harbors was among the largest active fires, alongside the Flanders Fire in Crow Wing County.

By Monday morning, fire officials said the Stewart Trail Fire was 62% contained. FOX 9 reported the blaze started May 15 about three miles north of Two Harbors and was traced to a power line. WTIP reported that damage assessments had already confirmed eight primary structures and 26 outbuildings were destroyed. Lake County had reduced some evacuation zones as conditions improved, but the Ready, Set, Go notification system remained in effect.

Sheriff Nathan Stadler said property owners who lost homes or other property were being notified but were not yet allowed back in because burned trees remained unstable and windy conditions still posed a risk. The response continued to rely on a wide network of agencies, including the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources, the Minnesota Department of Transportation, the Minnesota Interagency Fire Center, the Minnesota National Guard, the U.S. Forest Service, the St. Louis County Sheriff’s Office and local departments.

The emergency response also reshaped the North Shore’s normal landmarks. Betty’s Pies was being used as a staging area and remained safe, giving crews a familiar point of operations while aircraft scooped water from Lake Superior to help fight the fire during the weekend’s most active period. The state’s peacetime emergency and Walz’s visit marked a shift from immediate suppression to the harder work ahead: reopening roads, securing damaged properties, helping displaced households and deciding what additional state aid Lake County will receive as the recovery moves forward.