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

April 1 – Multiple fire departments from across the Iron Range battled a house fire in Virginia early this morning. The fire was reported around 1:30 a.m. in the 100 block of 7th Street South by a Minnesota State Trooper who was in the area at the time. Arriving firefighters found the main level of the two story vacant house engulfed in flames. Because of the intensity of the blaze, firefighters first engaged in a “defensive attack.” Once the heavy fire was knocked down, crews engaged in an “interior attack” and took care of anything inside that was still burning. The first departments on the scene included: Virginia, Mountain Iron, Eveleth, and Hibbing. A Second Alarm was called in, which brought firefighters from Gilbert, Fayal Township, and Pike-Sandy-Britt (PSB). The Eveleth and Biwabik ambulance services were put on standby to cover EMS calls in the area while PSB firefighters were stationed at the Virginia Fire Department. No injuries were reported and the house was vacant at the time. The cause of the fire remains under investigation by the Virginia Fire Marshal and the Minnesota State Fire Marshal’s Office. The house had been the scene of an arson fire last year.

March 27 – When a partial roof collapse occurred earlier this month (March 14) at the Miller Hill Mall in Duluth, Minnesota Task Force 2 was called in to assist the Duluth Fire Department. Twenty three members of the team responded when Task Force 2 was activated by the Minnesota State Duty Officer. Task Force 2 consists of personnel from the Duluth, Virginia, and Minnesota Air National Guard 148th fire departments. Members receive extensive training in building construction, types of collapses, and shoring techniques. No injuries were reported. Extensive repair work at the mall is now underway.

March 27 – Hibbing’s new engine went into service earlier this month. The Rosenbauer Warrior, manufactured in Wyoming, Minnesota, has a 1,500 gallon per minute (GPM) pump, 1,000 gallon tank, and 30 gallon Class A foam tank. The apparatus is also designed as an Advanced Life Support (ALS) engine and carries Genesis extrication equipment. “This is our first out” engine”, said Battalion Fire Chief Andy Anderson. ”It’s designed to handle a variety of calls from EMS responses to initial fire suppression.” The cost of the engine was $580,000. It’s first call was to a CO alarm going off during the early morning hours of March 14.

The 2023 Minnesota Wildfire Academy is set for June. Registrations are now being taken.

March 5 – Fayal Township, Eveleth, and Central Lakes firefighters were dispatched this evening (Sunday) to a sauna fire in Fayal Township. The dispatch went out around 6:10 p.m. to the 8100 block of State Highway 37. Firefighters were able to prevent major damage to the structure with damages limited to around $2,000. No injuries were reported.

Daylight Saving Time will start this Sunday, March 12, at 2:00 a.m. The Northland Fire Wire and area fire departments remind you to move your clocks ahead by one hour and to check your smoke and carbon monoxide alarms. If necessary, replace the batteries.

February 17 – The Cook and Orr fire departments were dispatched to a report of a structure fire in the 8700 block of Raps Road in Beatty Township near Cook. The fire was reported around 4:50 p.m. According to the St. Louis County Sheriff’s Department, the two story house was engulfed in flames when firefighters arrived on the scene. The house was unoccupied at the time and was 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.

February 18 -An early morning fire resulted in extensive damage to a large garage in Chisholm. The blaze was reported around 2:15 a.m. in the 500 block of 3rd Street Southwest. Heavy smoke and fire were seen coming from the garage when the first Chisholm firefighters arrived. They were able to quickly knock down the blaze. The Hibbing Fire Department was also dispatched, but was cancelled while enroute. The cause of the fire is under investigation.

February 19 – A late night fire in Hibbing caused an estimated $85,000 in damages. Hibbing, Chisholm, Keewatin, and Virginia firefighters were dispatched shortly after 11:00 p.m. to the 400 block of 41st Street East. Using an exterior fire attack at first, firefighters were able to quickly contain the fire to the attic area. Later, crews transitioned to an interior attack. No injuries were reported. The cause is under investigation by the Hibbing Fire Prevention Bureau, but is believed to be electrical in nature.