Minnesota wildfire grows to 1,600 acres, DNR identifies “people of interest”

A wildfire known as the Flanders Fire, about 10 miles east of Breezy Point, Minnesota, has grown to more than 1,600 acres, officials said.

Fire crews report the blaze is now nearly 60% contained after working since the weekend to control it.

Authorities said they have identified the fire’s origin and are investigating “people of interest.”

Evacuation orders are set to be lifted at noon, and residents are being allowed to return home as roads reopen and crews continue monitoring hot spots, CBS News has reported.

Roughly 140 firefighters and support teams are still working the area, while another nearby wildfire near Two Harbors has been fully contained after destroying at least 34 structures.