Topic overview
In brief
- Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz will lead a briefing on wildfire conditions today.
- The largest fire, Bear Trap, is currently 40% contained and has burned nearly 38,000 acres.
- Elevated burning restrictions are in place in northeastern Minnesota to prevent further wildfires.
Summary
On August 5, 2026, Minnesota is facing significant wildfire challenges, prompting a briefing led by Governor Tim Walz. The briefing will include officials from various state departments, including Public Safety, Natural Resources, and Homeland Security and Emergency Management, as well as representatives from the Minnesota National Guard. This news conference is scheduled for 10:45 a.m. in St. Paul, Minnesota, and will be accessible to the public via online streaming on CBS News Minnesota and YouTube.
The state has recently experienced wildfires that have led to the closure of numerous entry points in the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness for over two weeks. As of the latest updates, the largest fire, known as Bear Trap, is reported to be 40% contained, having burned nearly 38,000 acres. In addition to Bear Trap, multiple other fires have contributed to the destruction of tens of thousands of additional acres across the state.