Wildfire burns near Baldwin’s Young Park

A wildfire near Baldwin Township’s Young Park claimed 7 acres of land on Sunday, April 14.

High winds contributed to the fire’s growth and required aircraft support to extinguish the blaze.

At approximately 10:30 a.m., the Baldwin Fire Department was called out to the wildfire on the south side of County Road 38 just west of Young Park, according to Baldwin Fire Chief Scott Case.

“The fire started near the ditch, and with the north wind it was pushed south into the swamp land,” Case said.

According to Case, the fire was contained to approximately 7 acres of land and the fire departments on scene called in assistance from multiple aircrafts to prevent the fire from spreading out of control.

“We had two airplanes and one helicopter dumping water on it, just because of the high winds. We were worried it could’ve gotten away from us without that assistance,” Case said.

Fire departments were on the scene for about three or four hours, according to Case. There was no damage to structures or any injuries as a result of the fire.

“Everybody did a really nice job, and they were able to contain it,” Case said.

The cause of the fire is currently unknown and it is under investigation by the Minnesota Fire Marshal.

The Minnesota DNR, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Services, Princeton Fire and Rescue Department, and the Zimmerman Fire Department assisted the Baldwin Fire Department at the scene.

Reach Chloe Smith at chloe.smith@apgecm.com