Red Lake wildfires under control, but much work remains at Green Valley fire

BEMIDJI — While wildfires raged out of control in the Menahga and Park Rapids areas Wednesday, firefighters on the ground northwest of Red Lake made significant progress.

So much so that an incident command team there was moved to the Green Valley fire near Menahga Tuesday night, according to a release from the Minnesota Incident Command System. Eleven firefighters and four vehicles from the Bemidji Fire Department joined efforts there as well.

In what may have been the first report of the Green Valley fire, a release from the Hubbard County Sheriff’s Department stated crews responded to a wildfire in southeastern Becker County just before 3:30 p.m. Tuesday. Winds eventually pushed the blaze west, crossing over U.S. Highway 71 and into Wadena County.

Also, according to the release, 15 structures were destroyed by flames in Hubbard County alone.

“Forty five different fire departments from around the state arrived to assist in battling the fire, with many homes being saved because of their efforts,” the release stated.

By 6 p.m. the Minnesota Interagency Fire Center released their figures on various fires in the area.

Red Lake

Buffalo Ranch fire: 4,918 acres burned; 80 percent contained.

River Road fire: 1600 acres; 85 percent contained.

Manahga, Park Rapids

Green Valley Fire: 7,100 acres; several structures lost; work continues.