(ABC 6 News)–Firefighters continue making progress against the wildfires burning across northern Minnesota, with the fires now 53% contained. The wildfires have burned more than 64,000 acres across the U.S., an area roughly the size of Minneapolis and St. Paul combined. Nearly 1,000 personnel remain assigned to the firefighting effort. Evacuation orders are still in place for parts of Lake, St. Louis and Cook counties as crews continue working to secure fire lines. Officials also announced that about 39% of the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness is expected to reopen beginning Thursday, allowing visitors back into some previously closed areas while firefighting operations continue.