KARLSTAD, Minn. (AP) — Rain and snow have dampened wildfires in northwestern Minnesota.

The Minnesota Interagency Fire Center says eight fires consumed more than 56 square miles of woods and grassland this week.

Eleven homes and two dozen other structures were destroyed in the Karlstad area due to wildfires fueled by dry and windy conditions.

With rain turning to snow Wednesday night, the National Weather Service predicted 10 inches or more by late Thursday across the northwestern section of Minnesota.

Smoke from the wildfires drifted across northern Minnesota Wednesday. The smoke was being carried as far as 200 miles away by strong winds out of the northwest.

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