Woman, 72, Critically Burned In Minn. Grass Fire

GRAND RAPIDS, Minn. (AP) — A 72-year-old woman is in critical condition after a backyard fire at a farm in northern Minnesota.

The Itasca County sheriff's office says Patricia Pauna suffered severe burns on her legs and arms when she tried to put out the grass fire with a shovel Tuesday.

Pauna was airlifted to Essentia Health St. Mary's Duluth Hospital burn unit. She was in critical condition Wednesday.

Authorities say the fire started from a burning pit in the backyard and spread to tall grass and outbuildings. The fire was contained soon after firefighters arrived.

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