MINNEAPOLIS – A wildfire in eastern Minnesota has forced the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources to close about 4,500 acres of state forests.
The department says they are closing part of the Chengwatana State Forest, located in Pine and Chisago counties.
“The closure covers the area between the Chengwatana State Forest Road in the north to the Snake River in the south,” the ministry said.
The fire is estimated at 140 hectares, according to the department. No infrastructure is in danger.
It is unknown how the fire started.
The department is urging people not to use drones in the area.
Fires can spread quickly due to strong winds and persistent dry weather. Mike Warnke of the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources Forestry Wildfire Administration says The multi-agency coordination took place on Thursday to ensure crews were in place to support communities if a fire spreads.
