Rain Waters Down Fire Danger Up North

HOYT LAKES, Minn. (AP) — Rainfall is helping reduce the fire danger in northern Minnesota.

Officials say several wildfires that have been burning for several days in the northeastern part of the state are now contained or nearly contained.

A fire near Hoyt Lakes that burned 973 acres is 93 percent contained. Crews on Thursday will work on seven hot spots that were discovered during an infrared flight on Wednesday night.

Crews have fully contained a fire that scorched 250 acres near Embarrass. And a fire near Finland on the North Shore that burned 257 acres also is 100 percent contained.

While fire danger will remain low for a couple of days, dry conditions are expected to return this weekend and into next week in central and northern Minnesota.