A strike of lightning sparked a wildfire along the North Shore, Minnesota Interagency Fire officials reported Saturday.

The Crosby Fire burning in George H. Crosby Manitou State Park has grown to 260 acres after northwest winds fanned flames on Friday. A portion of the Superior Hiking Trail has been closed due to the fire.

Fire officials report that the wildfire is 45 percent contained and crews have deployed water-scooping aircraft and a helicopter to assist firefighters on the ground. They plan to lay a hose line on the fire’s east side to provide easier access to water to cool down stumps and downed trees that could continue smoldering.

Efforts to set up a handline around the fire’s west and east perimeters have helped contain the blaze, they report, and they’ll build out additional

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