Wildfire threatens homes

A wildfire burst through the dry grass and trees in the Gilbert Lake area about 1:30 p.m. Wednesday forcing homeowners to consider what they may grab from their houses if they only had minutes to decide. One Blakeman Road resident loaded his vehicle with dogs and cats, wearing the cuts gained from holding a large cat as a firefighting helicopter flew overhead.

Mark Mortensen, DNR forester, said the fire was largely under control by 3 p.m. With the dense smoke he said it was too early to tell how much area had burned. The Brainerd Fire Department and DNR fought the wildfire. Area law enforcement was on hand throughout the Gilbert Lake residential neighborhoods just off Wise Road. Nisswa Fire Department provided mutual aid.