May 14 – Hibbing firefighter/paramedics had a rather unique rescue this morning. The incident, reported around 7:40, was in the 100 block of 4th Street in the Kitzville area. A deflated weather balloon was discovered in a tree. Fire crews quickly retrieved the balloon, along with the attached equipment. The balloon popped about a week ago and had been reported as missing.

May 4 – Four firefighting organizations (Hibbing, Silica, Minnesota DNR) were involved in fighting a large wildland fire this afternoon south of Hibbing The fire was reported around 2:30 P.M. on the South Butler Road. About 50 acres were involved. No injuries were reported. The cause is under investigation.

May 3 – Firefighters on the eastern side of the Mesabi Iron Range were kept busy tonight with two structure fires within half an hour of each other. The first was a garage fire reported around 7:05 P.M. on Highway 100 in Aurora. The Aurora, Hoyt Lakes, and Lakeland fire departments responded. The garage and several vehicles were extensively damaged. Then, around 7:20 P.M. a house fire was reported in the 5400 block of Poplar Street in Aurora. The Aurora, Palo, and City of Biwabik fire departments responded, along with the Hoyt Lakes Ambulance. Arriving crews found flames in the basement with the fire extending to the outside of the house. The fire was quickly knocked down. No injuries were reported at either blaze. The Minnesota State Fire Marshal’s Office is investigating both fires.

April 30 – A garage and two vehicle parked nearby were destroyed yesterday afternoon as the result of a fire on Highway 1 near the Ely Airport. The fire was reported around 4:45 P.M. Morse-Fall Lake and Babbitt firefighters responded to the call. No injuries were reported. The cause of the fire is under investigation by the Minnesota State Fire Marshal’s Office.

April 28 – The Virginia, Mountain Iron, Eveleth, and Hibbing fire departments were dispatched this evening to a report of a structure fire in Virginia. The fire was reported shortly after 6:00 P.M. in the 900 block of 5th Avenue South. Firefighters quickly contained the fire to an area around a stove in an apartment on the second floor of the four-plex. No injuries were reported, but four occupants were displaced and are receiving assistance through the Northland Chapter of the American Red Cross. The cause of the fire is under investigation by the Minnesota State Fire Marshal’s Office.

April 28 – Nine fire department battled a large house fire in Breitung Township today. The blaze was reported by a passerby around 6:05 A.M. in the 5300 block of the Junction Road. The fire, which is believed to have started in the basement, quickly spread to the rest of house. Fire departments on the scene included: Breitung, Tower, Greenwood, Eagles Nest, Ely, Embarrass, Pike-Sandy-Britt, Vermilion Lake and Morse-Fall Lake. The Tower Area Ambulance Service (TAAS) provided medical standby at the scene. No injuries were reported. The house is a total loss. A Breitung Fire Department official said the cause of the fire is undetermined because of the massive extent of damages.

April 26 – Fayal Township, Eveleth, Mountain Iron, Gilbert, Lakeland and the City of Biwabik participated at an aircraft firefighting course hosted at the Fayal Fire Department. The live fire training involved several scenarios, allowing participants to sharpen their skills. The training was conducted by ARFF Specialists of Carlton. The Eveleth Ambulance Service provided medical standby.

April 22 – Five fire departments were dispatched this morning to a large garage fire in Pike Township, north of Virginia. The fire was reported shortly before 10:30 a.m. at the former Aysta Dairy, located in the 6900 block of Hill Road South. The fire was in the attic area of the huge garage. Fire departments on the scene included: Pike-Sandy-Britt, Vermilion Lake, Embarrass, Cook, and Mountain Iron. One firefighter was transported by a Virginia ambulance to a local hospital for exhaustion. The cause of the fire is under investigation by the Minnesota State Fire Marshal’s Office.

April 6 – A 43 year old man was injured early this morning, the result of an early morning house fire in Alango Township, south of Cook. The blaze was reported around 1:00 a.m. in the 9900 block of County Highway 22, The man was injured when jumped from a second story window. He was taken by Cook Ambulance to a local with smoke inhalation and non-life threatening injuries. His aunt and homeowner, a 67 year old woman was able safely escape the burning house. Fire departments responding to the blaze included: Cook, Evergreen, Pike-Sandy-Britt, and Mountain Iron. The house is considered to be a total loss. The cause of the fire is under investigation by the St. Louis County Sheriff’s Department and the Minnesota State Fire Marshal’s Office. The Cook Ambulance Service provided medical standby at the scene.

The application period for the Miinesota DNR’s Fire Assistance Grant Program is now underway. Information about the program is listed below.