How Can I Help Northern Minnesota Wildfire Victims?

In the wake of the devastating Northern Minnesota wildfires that have burned over 30,000 acres and numerous homes and properties this May, a couple of Northland organizations are working to facilitate ways to donate to victims.

The May 2025 Northern Minnesota wildfires have quickly become some of the biggest in recent memory, scorching sizable portions of the Northland near places like Brimson, Hoyt Lakes, Cotton, and Canyon.

For anyone looking for a way to help the victims of these devastating wildfires, a few Northland organizations have stepped up to facilitate ways to get donations to those who need help.

Donations of both supplies and money are being accepted through the efforts noted below, which will help with the collection and distribution of both.

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Specifically, when it comes to financial donations, this is a safe way to ensure money gets to those who need it. Unfortunately, during disasters like these, scammers will set up online donation efforts to take advantage of individuals trying to help.

Thankfully, two different United Way affiliates are stepping in to help, in partnership with the American Red Cross. In addition, another organization is starting a collection effort for supplies.

How to donate money to Northern Minnesota wildfire victims

If you want to help, there are options for wildfire victims in both Lake and St. Louis Counties, thanks to the United Way of Northeastern Minnesota and Head of the Lakes United Way.

For both organizations, 5here is no administrative fee associated with the recovery funds, and all of the proceeds will go to impacted community members

To donate to victims in St. Louis County, the United Way of Northeastern Minnesota has set up this donation page to provide financial contributions to help victims. Donations can also be mailed to the United Way of Northeastern Minnesota at 608 East Drive, Chisholm, MN 55719, with a note indicating it is for wildfire relief.

To donate to victims in Lake County, the Head of the Lakes United Way has set up this donation page to provide financial contributions to help victims. Donations can also be mailed to Head of the Lakes United Way at 314 W. Superior St. #750 in Duluth, Minnesota, 55802, with a note indicating it is for wildfire relief.

How to donate supplies to Northern Minnesota wildfire victims

In addition to monetary donations, supplies are also being accepted.

The Lake County Chamber of Commerce shared on social media that they are accepting donations of supplies at the Lake County Fairgrounds.

They are accepting the donation of liquids and non-perishable items only at this time.

Liquids like water or Gatorade are the best options for liquid donations, while recommended non-perishable foods include things like granola bars, beef jerky, small bags of chips, crackers, and things of that nature that can easily be tucked in pockets.

Chamber officials say they are unable to accept homemade food items and ask that nobody bring them as a donation.

In addition, clothing donations can be dropped off at Neighbor to Neighbor, which is where displaced families will be able to go to take what they need at no charge.

The Largest Minnesota Wildfires In Modern History

While Minnesota has experienced even larger, more devastating fires like the 350,00-acre Hinckley Fire in 1884 of the 250,000-acre Cloquet-Moose Lake Fire in 1918, fires have thankfully been relatively smaller in more modern times.

Even though these more modern fires have been smaller, largely due to better firefighting capabilities, many have still been devastating and destructive. Here's a look at Minnesota's largest wildfires since 2007 based on information from the Minnesota Incident Command System.

Gallery Credit: Nick Cooper