Fridley residents, the northwoods community is where they escape year-round. Today, they learned from their neighbors that all that remains on their property is their chimney. “We lost everything,” she said,

The devastating wildfires that are consuming thousands of acres of forest in northern Minnesota have been exacerbated by the actions of a wood pest. Commanders responding to the trio of wildfires ongoing in St. Louis County say they have been fueled by the eastern spruce budworm.

According to Minnesota Governor Tim Walz, the state has already had 970 fires this year. On average the state experiences a little over 1,100 a year, remember it’s only May.