Large Wildfire in Blaine, Minnesota - May 7, 2022
Video captured by: Mission Outdoors
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BLAINE, MINNESOTA - Spring Lake Park - Blaine - Mounds View Fire Department Press Release:
At 10:50 AM on May 7, 2022, the Spring Lake-Blaine-Mound View Fire Department was dispatched to the 104 block of Vermillion Circle NE in Blaine, Minnesota, for a report of a grass fire. As the chiefs responded, they noted a large smoke plume in the call area. They quickly upgraded the call asking for mutual aid from several surrounding stations and resources, including Centennial and Ham Lake Fire Departments and several rigs from the Minnesota DNR.
When crews arrived at the scene, they noted a quick-moving grass fire due to the high winds and dry weather, resulting in elevated fire conditions. This fire was quickly advancing towards a swamp and undeveloped area near the Victory Links golf course, the Blaine City Hall, and several homes. The Blaine County Emergency Management was also activated to
Due to the high winds, ground crews struggled to contain the fire, so the MN DNR called in aerial support from across the state to assist with the fire operations. They reported four fixed wind Air Boss airplanes and one helicopter in total. Due to the various incident command posts set up to help fight the fire on various fronts, the Blaine County Emergency Management was activated and set up at the Blaine City Hall as a unified command post between the various agencies helping fight the fire.
Fire crews on the scene assisted in fighting the fire and providing structure protection for any nearby homes or businesses. The MN DNR managed the aerial support and coordinated the airdrops, while the Blaine Police department aided in the evacuation of the golf course and closing nearby roads to local traffic. Additional mutual aid was provided by Fridley, Andover, and Coon Rapids fire departments to cover other emergency calls in the district while crews worked to put out the wildfire.
It took crews five hours to get the fire contained and under control, with approximately 30 firefighters and 18 support personnel. They estimate about 84 acres were burned, and no structures were lost. The cause of the fire is still under investigation by both local and state authorities.
Initial Story:
A large wildfire developed around 10:50 AM on May 7, 2022, near the Sanctuary neighborhood in Blaine, Minnesota. This area is located just north-northeast of the Anoka County-Blaine Airport. Details are limited as this is a developing story, but a Special Weather Statement was issued by the National Weather Service Twin Cities just after 9 AM this morning, highlighting the elevated threat for wildfires today. “Windy conditions this afternoon coupled with low relative humidity values will elevate fire weather conditions,” per the National Weather Service.
The below video is from the KMPX weather radar which was able to pick up the smoke plume from the wildfire in Blaine, Minnesota. Again this is a developing story that we will continue to update as more information is available.
