NEWS RELEASE
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
July 14, 2026
MEDIA CONTACT: Dana Kazel, Communications Manager
Office: 218-725-5049 Cell: 218-591-2219
St. Louis County Board issues disaster declaration as wildfires burn; provides other updates
The St. Louis County Board approved a resolution during Tuesday's meeting declaring a
State of Local Emergency and State of Local Disaster for the county due to wildfire damage and utilization of public resources needed in response to the fires. As of Tuesday morning, the U.S. Forest Service reported 20 wildfires burning across the region of St. Louis and Lake Counties, including in the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness.
Declaring a local emergency and local disaster is a procedural step that enables the county to apply for state and federal reimbursement if certain damage thresholds are met. St. Louis County Emergency Management is responsible for applying for reimbursement on behalf of the county, as well as for cities and townships within the county.
The St. Louis County Sheriff's Office and Emergency Management team are actively working with the Forest Service, Department of Natural Resources, Lake County and numerous local fire departments to ensure a coordinated response. The County's Ready, Set, Go Evacuation Map has been activated since Sunday to provide guidance for people in affected areas in both St. Louis and Lake Counties. That map can be accessed directly at St Louis County MN Emergency Services Hub, or people can find a link from the county's website at stlouiscountymn.gov.
During Tuesday's meeting, commissioners praised the many firefighters and responders assisting with battling the numerous fires. Commissioner Paul McDonald, whose district includes Ely and the areas affected by the fires, noted the numerous fire trucks from surrounding communities that responded to assist through mutual aid agreements, as well as the many firefighting aircraft operating out of the Ely airport.
A temporary evacuation point has been set up at the Babbitt Municipal Center to serve people from both Lake and St. Louis Counties impacted by the Camp and Sioux fires. St. Louis Public Health staff is at this location, assisting with connecting people with necessary resources.
Air quality throughout the region is being impacted by smoke from the wildfires. By Wednesday morning, the air quality in all of St. Louis County will be in either the hazardous or very unhealthy category. More information on air quality conditions and steps people should take to protect themselves can be found on the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency's website. The direct link is: Air quality alert issued due to wildfire smoke for Tuesday, July 14, through Friday, July 17, for east central, central, west central, southeast, north central, northwest, and northeast Minnesota | Minnesota Pollution Control Agency. A link to this is also available at stlouiscountymn.gov.
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