Sioux Fire (MN)

Active · 0% contained · 3,650 acres · started 2026-07-09 · updated 2026-07-15

True color Fire (SWIR)

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True color (left): as the eye sees it.
Infrared / SWIR (right): sees through smoke.

🟢 green = vegetation
🟤 red/brown = burned
🟠 orange = active fire

Imagery: Sentinel-2 (Copernicus). Drag to compare smoke vs. infrared.

Heat detections: NASA FIRMS (last 48h).

The Sioux Fire, burning for six days in St. Louis County, Minnesota, has expanded at an approximate rate of 608 acres per day to reach 3,650 acres. Located 20 miles northwest of Ely, the blaze is currently showing active behavior including spotting and torching within timber litter and understory. Satellite data from NASA FIRMS has identified 106 heat signatures in the area over the last 48 hours, underscoring the intensity of the incident.

Managed by a Type 3 Incident Command under the USFS, the fire remains at zero percent containment on federal land. The natural-start wildfire has incurred costs of $10,000 as crews work to address the complex situation.