- Tom Rusch
- From Whitetales
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Spruce Budworm Epidemic: The Periodic Demise of Balsam Fir in the Northern Forest
In Spring of 2025, massive wildfires threatened lives, rural communities, recreational property and forests in St Louis and Lake Counties in Northeast Minnesota. These catastrophic wildfires were fueled by a perfect combination of drought, unseasonably high temperatures (high 80s), low humidity (less than 20%) and extreme winds (25-40 mph) when the forest was just starting to green up over the opening weekend of the Minnesota fishing season.