IN THE EXTREME HEAT and humidity of Monday afternoon, my husband and I and our eldest daughter and her family escaped to Copper Cat Escape Games in Brainerd to sleuth for Granny’s hidden secret recipe. It was great fun finding and solving clues, unlocking boxes and finally solving the mystery with five minutes to spare.
On Wednesday afternoon, we escaped, too, but this time from intense wildfire smoke which blew in from the north, enveloping the Brainerd Lakes area cabin where we were vacationing. We’ve experienced smoke on previous visits. This time, though, the smoke was especially thick, intense and oppressive.
The smoke rolled in as Randy and I were hiking at Mission Park only a short drive from the Horseshoe Lake cabin south of Crosslake. We emerged from the woods to see dense smoke. Initially, we thought someone was burning, but soon realized the source—wildfires to the north in Canada and northern Minnesota.
Wildfires are raging in areas in and around the Boundary Waters Canoe Area with campers there evacuated earlier in the week and the BWCA closed. Evacuation orders have been issued in parts of St. Louis, Cook and Lake counties in the northeastern part of Minnesota. Camps are closing, kids sent home. And on and on. Resorts, outfitters and other businesses that rely on seasonal income are suffering.
And across nearly all of Minnesota, we are breathing in smoke at levels classified as hazardous, very unhealthy, unhealthy and more by the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency. That includes right here in my county of Rice in the southern part of the state far from the wildfires.
But the level here in Faribault is nothing compared to what we saw and breathed in yesterday in the Brainerd Lakes area. That smoke smelled of infinite campfires, stung our eyes, made it hard to breathe, reduced visibility.
Our plans to spend the day exploring and enjoying the small towns near the cabin quickly pivoted to packing and heading home a day earlier than intended. Our daughter and her family left a day prior, as scheduled.
It was the right decision to leave on Wednesday. Already visibility across Horseshoe Lake was so limited that the opposite shore appeared only an outline of trees. Smoke and the stench of smoke hung in the air. The toxic air felt suffocating.
Once on Crow Wing County Road 3, Randy and I could see the scope of the smoke spreading far and wide, blanketing the landscape.
Onward we drove, turning onto county road 11, passing stands of charred trees and cleared land from a mid-May wildfire in Mission Township. The irony was not lost on me.
Mile after mile, we traveled in smoky conditions. In Crosby, life appeared business as usual with a packed downtown, despite the smoke. Shoppers walking in and out of shops. Bikers biking.
In Deerwood, a roadside deer statue appeared to leap through the smoke in an attempt to escape.
In Garrison, visitors at the Mille Lacs Lake overlook could see the roadside statue, but not much of the lake.
Down the road a bit, a guy jogged alongside U.S. Highway 169. Smoke still hung thick. I wondered how his body could tolerate the polluted air. Mine can’t.
We thought we would soon drive out of the wildfire smoke. But we drove past endless towns along highway 169—Onamia, Milaca, Princeton, Zimmerman… Not until we reached Elk River in the northwest metro two hours later did the smoke dissipate and open to blue skies. Then and only then did I feel like I could breathe easier.
I hope Minnesotans living near the 17 uncontrolled wildfires, and firefighters, plus our Canadian neighbors, can soon breathe easier, too. Rain is needed.
Yet, I know these fires can burn for weeks, ravaging the landscape, polluting the air, impacting businesses and sometimes changing vacation plans. But leaving the lake cabin a day early to escape the smoke is nothing, truly nothing, in the story of wildfires.
TELL ME: Are you being affected by wildfires? If yes, I’d like to hear your story.
© Copyright 2026 Audrey Kletscher Helbling
Minnesota Prairie Roots 
Having lived through two too close encounters to wildfires here in Western North Carolina I am very empathetic to anyone who is experiencing these fires. My sister in Ohio is definitely seeing the effects and limiting outdoor activity as well. Fires affect so much more than just the immediate area that is burning and I never realized the scope until we experienced it for ourselves. I am sorry you had to cut vacation short but it was the right decision as you can attest to. Hoping it clears sooner rather than later.
You’re correct that wildfires affect more than the immediate area. I’m sorry your sister is dealing with wildfire smoke also. The skies have basically cleared in Faribault. It’s still hot, though.
The smoke is thick here in the U.P. too, Audrey. We went to the YMCA to walk on the treadmill because of the smoke. I’m so sad for all the people, trees, and animals who are suffering worse fates. Our poor Earth. 🥹
I’m sorry you’re dealing with thick wildfire smoke in the U.P., too, Lori. Yes, our poor earth.
Bless her
Yesterday I had read several newspaper articles about these wildfires that are wreaking havoc in both Minnesota and Canada. Your photos are both amazing and educational for a New Englander like myself. I have, thankfully, never experienced a wildfire and cannot begin to imagine the horror of going through them. Yesterday our skies were very hazy as the smoke from these wildfires reached the Northeast. We’ve been undergoing, as has most of the country, extremely high temperatures due to the heat dome. According to my reading, this heat dome traps the smoke from these faraway wildfires close to the ground and if the smoke thickens the temps may not climb as high because it could filter the sunlight. I believe that was what occurred here. Today was only faintly hazy though the air quality alert remained. Our travails are quite minor compared to yours in Minnesota. I sincerely hope that the wildfires quickly become part of the past as opposed to the present. Until then, stay safe! “Every day is a gift. But some days are packaged better.” – Sanhita Baruah. Thank-you for sharing!
Thanks for your “report” from New England. My son, who lives in Boston, texted that wildfire smoke was blanketing the city. This seems rather widespread. Hopefully relief comes soon for everyone.
This is Cathy – we met
Yup, I certainly remember you from our protest on the bridge over I-35 at Medford. Good to hear from you.
It’s still quite smoky here, Audrey. It’s so good you left when you did. We’re considering heading west (ND or SD) for a couple days to someplace with better air quality…
I’m sorry to hear that the smoke is still heavy in the Brainerd lakes area. Hopefully you can escape for a few days and return to better, less smokey, conditions.
Escaping wildfire smoke like this was one of the lesser reasons we moved to Minnesota from Southwest Oregon. Guess there’s really no escape. 😢
Only in recent years has wildfire smoke spread across the entire state of Minnesota. I’m sorry you thought you were escaping it, but now find yourself also dealing with smoke in your new home. I got notifications of your posts so will be reading them yet today to learn of your wildfire smoke experiences.
It’s interesting to see your photos from up North…I think it was best you left early. I’m sad to think of all the damage the wildfires are causing right now…
It was the right decision to leave early. Yes, the wildfires are so destructive with ramifications for all us, even if we live hundreds of miles away.
i so understand this,audrey – we left the lake in the north to head back south and it was better but not gone. i feel for everyone and every animal impacted by this
I’m sorry you had to cut your lake trip short also. Conditions are smoky here in Faribault today. Of course, nothing compared to the wildfire area or what we experienced last week in north central Minnesota.
i’m glad t hear that it’s at least a bit better, thought i’m sure it’s unhealthy –
We had heavy rain early this morning. That seemed to clear the smoke. It’s still hot, but a cold front is supposed to move in tomorrow. I’m ready to turn off the air and open the windows.
it’s much better here as well, and i never take fresh air for granted
Today the air is off, the windows open, the breeze blowing through the house. A glorious day!
yay! and it will be in the 70s here today so i will do the same -)
Yeah, glad you’re having the same wonderful weather. Another perfect summer day here today!