Minnesota: 40,000 Seedlings Planted at Munger Shaw Fire Site in First Reforestation Phase

On May 1, 2026, the St. Louis County Land and Minerals Forestry Division launched active reforestation of areas burned by the Munger Shaw wildfire. Minnesota Power donated 23,000 pine seedlings, complemented by 17,000 seedlings from county nursery stock, with a mix of red pine and white pine planted across 48 acres of tax-forfeited burned land. Approximately 350,000 seedlings are planned for planting throughout 2026 across all fire-affected areas. Foresters observed encouraging signs of natural aspen regeneration at some sites. The effort is part of Minnesota's broader spring 2026 reforestation campaign, which included the Minnesota DNR planting nearly 2 million seedlings on state forest land across the state.