Fast-moving grass fire near Cotton damages outbuildings, DNR investigates

A grass fire north of Cotton burned several outbuildings in Ellsburg Township and drew a multi-agency response after dry conditions helped it spread quickly near the 1900 block of Sheldon Road.

St. Louis County responders were called at about 12:16 p.m. April 21 to the rural property, where deputies, local fire departments, DNR air support and the St. Louis County Sheriff’s Office worked to knock down the blaze. The fire consumed a few outbuildings, but no habitable structures were damaged, keeping the incident from becoming a residential loss even as flames pushed across the dry grass and surrounding property.

The fire later grew to about 10 acres before being contained a few hours after it was reported. The Minnesota Department of Natural Resources has taken over the investigation into how it started, and the Sheriff’s Office said the female caller who reported the fire is facing formal charges tied to the negligent fire. Her name was being withheld.

The timing raised the stakes. A day before the Ellsburg Township fire, the National Weather Service had a Red Flag Warning in effect for 66 Minnesota counties through 8 p.m. April 20 because of extreme fire danger. The DNR said during that warning that fires can spread quickly and grow out of control, and it would not issue or activate open burning permits for large vegetative debris burning.

That warning came alongside broader fire restrictions that had already expanded across additional counties, including St. Louis County. The DNR has said escaped fire from burning vegetative debris is the leading cause of wildfires in Minnesota, a reminder that a small burn pile can turn into a fast-moving grass fire when humidity drops and wind picks up.

Karen Harrison, a DNR wildfire prevention specialist, warned that embers can be carried for more than a mile in high winds. For rural landowners in places like Ellsburg Township, the lesson is immediate: keep burn piles under close watch, avoid open burning during warning periods, and move spark-producing work such as chainsaw use, trailer work and ATV travel away from dry grass whenever conditions turn critical.