The temperature wasn’t the only thing running high on July 28 at the Camp House Fire Recovery Information Meeting in Brimson. Frustration filled Petrell Hall as affected citizens gathered alongside agency representatives seeking answers.
Officials from the Minnesota DNR, U.S. Forest Service, Brimson Fire Department, St. Louis and Lake County sheriffs, Cooperative Light & Power, Public Works, and other agencies were present to address concerns from residents displaced or impacted by the recent fires.
Chief among those concerns was the lack of information surrounding the investigation. DNR officials, who are leading the inquiry, assured attendees that the identity of the individual believed to have started the fire and additional details would soon be released to the media.
Some residents voiced anguish over delayed notification about their properties. One man who lost his home said it took more than a week to receive confirmation that it had burned. Others criticized early firefighting efforts, feeling more could have been done to save homes and structures.
A woman who lost her property raised concerns about disparities in clean-up costs stating that while the state was reportedly recovering funds through logging on public land, private owners were being charged by loggers for similar efforts.
Confusion over leadership during the crisis was another point of tension, with multiple attendees saying their calls had gone unanswered and there was little clarity about who was coordinating the response.
According to reports shared at the meeting, 185 structures were destroyed, including 16 homesteaded properties. Owners of non-homesteaded cabins said they’ve struggled to access recovery resources.
U.S. Forest Service representative Jeb Backe, who served as Incident Commander for Team C during the early days of the Camp House Fire, spoke directly to these concerns.
“The first teams that were here were way overwhelmed,” he said. “Their job was to manage chaos and try not to get anybody hurt.”
Amid the frustrations, St. Louis County Sheriff Gordon Ramsey received praise from one couple who said his regular Facebook updates provided rare transparency during an otherwise murky period. Though they initially believed they had lost all their structures, the final damage was less severe but they, too, had faced a frustrating information vacuum.
Additional agencies were on hand to explain available cost-share programs and reimbursement options for cleanup efforts, offering some hope of logistical support as residents and property owners continue piecing together what’s next.
As the meeting drew to a close, the air remained thick, not just with the sticky humidity, but with unanswered questions and a community pressing for clarity. While many left without all the answers they came for, several agency representatives stayed behind, making themselves available for one-on-one conversations. For some attendees, the meeting was their first real opportunity to be heard, face-to-face, with the people tasked to help.
For those looking to help, whether with donations, time, or tools, the Brimson Strong Community Support & Recovery Facebook page is a good place to keep up with recovery efforts. Also contact helpbrimsonfire@gmail.com with any questions or to volunteer!
