Grass fire burns across 5 acres in St. Louis Co.

Published 9:36 am Monday, April 13, 2015

RICE LAKE — Authorities said warm temperatures and dry conditions led to a grass fire that burned across five acres in St. Louis County.

The St. Louis County Sheriff’s Office said the fire started Saturday afternoon when a homeowner was burning cardboard in a burn barrel in Rice Lake Township. The sheriff’s office said the fire destroyed two outbuildings and an RV as it spread north to Gnesen Township.

The Air National Guard, Minnesota Department of Natural Resources and 14 other agencies were called to battle the blaze.

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Residents were evacuated from nearby homes as a precaution, but no injuries were reported. An investigation is ongoing.

Sgt. Todd Abernathy of the sheriff’s office said the county has seen a significant increase in fires and residents currently aren’t allowed to have fires without a permit.