Rain not enough to lessen northern Minn. wildfire threat

DULUTH, Minn. -- Spotty weekend rain wasn't enough to lessen the threat of wildfires across northern Minnesota.

Duluth got enough rain early Sunday to help grass turn green. But Duluth International Airport received just 0.16 of an inch and remains nearly 2½ inches below normal for precipitation for the year.

The Duluth News Tribune reports crews continued Sunday to battle the Floodwood Lake fire east of Goodland. The fire had grown to more than 517 acres but has stopped growing.

Minnesota Interagency Fire Center spokeswoman Jean Bergerson says the fire destroyed a hunting cabin and a shed, but several cabins and homes were saved.

So far nearly 950 wildfires in Minnesota have burned across nearly 21,000 acres.