Find the latest wildfire details - including links to the Ready, Set, Go evacuation map, and air quality information on our July 2026 Wildfire emergency page.

Emergencies
 
 

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July 2026 Lightning Wildfires

Numerous wildfires continue to burn in northern St. Louis County. The Sheriff's Office and Emergency Management division are assisting the U.S. Forest Service, MN Department of Natural Resources, and numerous local fire departments in responding to these fires. The Ready, Set, Go Evacuation map is activated and anyone in affected areas should be aware and ready to follow instructions as needed.

Air quality is a concern throughout the region due to the wildfire smoke. St. Louis County Public Health is coordinating with area partners to provide safe places for people needing to evacuate and/or find indoor public locations with good air quality.

St. Louis County Evacuation Zone Map

Air Quality Info & Relief Sites

Evacuation Instructions

 

Headlines

Drug Bust in Rural St. Louis County Read more

Drug Bust in Rural St. Louis County

On May 16 and 17th, 2026, members of the St. Louis County Sheriff's Office and LSVOTF executed a series of search warrants in rural St. Louis County, City of Virgina and the City of Gilbert.

St. Louis County Reflects on 2026 Legislative Session Read more

St. Louis County Reflects on 2026 Legislative Session

Following the close of the 2026 Minnesota Legislative session, St. Louis County leaders reflected on the outcomes of the session and issued a statement reflecting on how new legislation would benefit county residents and improve county operations.
Fire Bomber Struck by Bullet Read more

Fire Bomber Struck by Bullet

On May 15, 2026, approximately 4:00 PM, St Louis County deputies and several state, local and federal firefighting resources responded to the report of a wildland fire in Portage Township, which is located approximately 15 miles north Orr, Minnesota. 
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Emergency Management 

The role of emergency management is to protect lives, property, and environment from natural and/or human-made disasters through preparation, mitigation, response and recovery and to maximize the protection and promotion of public safety, health and welfare during large-scale emergencies. Emergency Management is a division of St. Louis County run out of the Sheriff office.
 

Public Health Emergency Preparedness 

Emergency Preparedness is a unit based out of the department of Public Health responsible for mass care during emergencies in the county. In a public health emergency, we partner with staff from St. Louis County Emergency Management. Together, we work on coordinating temporary shelter locations, organizing and conducting the mass dispensing of vaccines or medicines to the community, sharing information, and providing other public health resources.

Contacts

In emergency or to file a report, call or text 911.

Sheriff's Office Emergency Management Division 218-625-3960

Scott Lesnau, Public Health Emergency Preparedness Coordinator Email

Grace Elmudesi, Public Health Emergency Preparedness Planner Email