Firefighters Continue to Work Northwest Minnesota Wildfire

MENAHGA  (AP) - Lighter winds are expected to help firefighters working to contain a wildfire that has consumed 7,100 acres in northwestern Minnesota.

Department of Natural Resources spokesman Jeff Edmonds says the fire that has destroyed a dozen homes and 43 other structures remains 25 percent contained Thursday.

Edmonds says easterly winds of 5 mph should keep the Green Valley fire in check. The blaze started on private land during windy weather Tuesday afternoon near Menahga.

Crews have built a bulldozer line around most of the fire perimeter and have attacked hot spots with water-dropping planes and helicopters. Firefighters from more than 40 departments across the region were working on the ground.

Edmonds says the highly-trained Midewin Interagency Hotshot Crew will be on the ground Thursday.