Thumb Fire (MN)

Active · 0% contained · 4,648 acres · started 2026-07-07 · updated 2026-07-13

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 Thumb Fire, a Type 5 incident currently managed by a Type 3 Incident Commander, has been burning for six days near Gakijiwanong Anishnaabe Nation, Minnesota, with an average daily growth of approximately 775 acres. Located in St. Louis County, the blaze has scorched 4,648 acres of federal timber, grass, and understory, with recent satellite data from NASA FIRMS recording 89 heat detections in the past 48 hours.

The fire remains active with observed torching behavior and is currently zero percent contained. Originating from a natural cause on July 7, 2026, the USFS-led suppression effort has incurred costs totaling $10,000 as crews work to manage the fire's trajectory.