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21-May-2026

Flanders Fire

The Flanders Fire east of Breezy Point is now 95 percent contained, and officials say this will likely be the final update unless conditions change. The wildfire has burned 1,686 acres since it started on May 16th in Crow Wing County. Firefighters continue working hot spots, removing hazard trees, and strengthening containment lines while crews begin scaling back operations. County Road 11 has reopened, but officials are still asking the public to avoid the area when possible and watch for firefighters working nearby. Command of the fire is expected to return to local authorities on Thursday morning.

 

 

 

 

20-May-2026

Gas Prices

Gas Buddy has released its annual Summer Travel Survey and Forecast. Its forecast is for the national average reaching $4.48 per gallon by Memorial Day, up sharply from $3.14 per gallon a year ago.  It could average $4.80 per gallon over the summer from Memorial Day through Labor Day, with the possibility of all-time record highs if the Strait of Hormuz remains closed for a significant portion of the summer. The national record high for a gallon of regular unleaded gasoline is $5.01, and the record high for a gallon of diesel is $5.81, both set in June of 2022. Gas Buddy says, even after the Strait of Hormuz fully reopens, sub-$3 gas is unlikely to return for many months, possibly more than a year. Despite the price surge, 56 percent of Americans still plan to drive more than two hours this summer, a decrease from 69 percent last year.

 

 

 

 

 

20-May-2026

School Bus Crash

Several students suffered minor injuries after their school bus crashed south of Richmond on Monday afternoon. Stearns County Sheriff's deputies responded to the area of Jay Avenue at around 3:20 p.m. The location is just south of Highway 23 in Munson Township. The sheriff's office says the driver, 72-year-old Thomas Hedburg of Sartell, was southbound on Jay Avenue when the bus left the roadway near a curve, entered the west ditch, struck a tree, and came to rest against a driveway. The sheriff's office says about 30 students of various ages were on the bus at the time of the crash. Several of the students had minor injuries. The sheriff says the injuries were mostly small cuts from the broken front window. Mayo ambulance responded to the scene and confirmed the injuries were minor. The children were then released to their parents. The sheriff's office says impairment was not a factor in the crash.

 

 

 

 

 

20-May-2026

Wild Fire Update

With significant progress made in containing the Flanders fire near Crosslake, all evacuation orders and notices in the region have been lifted. Crow Wing County reports the orders were lifted at 12 p.m. Tuesday, and residents were welcome to return to their homes and properties. The county’s emergency management and public health teams will be out in the coming days to assess and talk to residents who were evacuated to assist and help with specific needs. An update from the Minnesota Incident Command System (MNICS) Tuesday morning says excellent progress was made by firefighting crews on Monday, and the fire is now at 60% containment. The size of the fire is still estimated at 1,666 acres .According to a news Release “The Sheriff’s drone team were able to launch several drones to better map the fire and help detect hot spots from the air,” “Crews also continued their assessment and mitigation of hazard trees with dozers and chainsaws.” MNICS added that with containment continuing to grow, firefighters and equipment are starting to be demobilized, and the Incident Management Team is preparing to transfer command of the fire back to local authorities. In addition, the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources reports it has located the origin of the fire near the north shore of Flanders Lake and that people of interest have been identified. Residents in the area (especially on the western side on state land, along County Road 11, and on Horseshoe Lake Road) who have outdoor cameras or other information between May 15 and 17 are asked to contact DNR Conservation Officer Jordan Anderson at 218-639-0782.