April 24 – Over half a dozen Cook area fire departments battled a house fire in Angora Township, south of Cook, this morning. The blaze was reported around 6:30 a.m. in the 8900 block of State Highway 1. The house was extensively damaged and no injuries were reported. Departments responding included: Cook, Pike-Sandy-Britt, Evergreen, Vermilion Lake, Lake Vermilion Fire Brigade, Orr, and Embarrass. The Cook Ambulance Service provided medical standby and rehab at the scene. The St. Louis County Sheriff’s Department assisted in traffic control. The cause of the fire is under investigation.

April 20 – Firefighters from Hibbing and the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources battled a wildland fire this evening in rural Hibbing. The fire was reported around 6:30 p.m. along Highway 169, south of the Mitchell Bridge. The fire consumed about four and half acres. Several homes in the area were threatened. The DNR brought in a tracked vehicle as well as a helicopter. No injuries were reported. The cause of the fire is under investigation. The fire danger in the Arrowhead Region ranges from Moderate to High. No burning permits are being issued at this time.

April 18 – Firefighters from three Iron Range fire departments responded this evening to a report of a fire at Cazadores Mexican Cuisine at the Thunderbird Mall in Virginia. The fire was reported around 6:50 p.m. in the kitchen area. Several employees, who were working in the business at the time, safely exited the building. The fire was contained to the stove area. No injuries were reported. Departments responding to the alarm included: Virginia, Mountain Iron, and Eveleth. The cause of the fire is under investigation by the Virginia Fire Marshal.

October 12 – Chisholm firefighters battled an early morning attic fire in a four-plex on 2nd Avenue Southwest. The fire was reportedly shortly before 3:00 a.m. The damage was limited to the contents in the attic. Three of the four apartments were occupied at the time. The cause of the fire is under investigation by the Minnesota State Fire Marshal’s Office. Photo courtesy of the Chisholm Fire Department.

September 23 – An early morning fire has destroyed Wally’s Auto Service in Orr.  The fire was reported around 1:45 a.m.  The business, located on Highway 53, was engulfed in flames when crews arrived.  Firefighters from Orr, Cook, Bois Forte, Crane Lake, and Buyck were on the scene while the Orr Area Ambulance Service provided medical standby.  No injuries were reported.

September 19 – Cook area firefighters were dispatched this morning to a report of a cabin fire at Pehrson’s Lodge, north of Cook. The fire was reported around 7:45 a.m. The fire inside the structure was quickly brought under control. The cabin had extensive smoke and water damage. No injuries were reported. The Minnesota State Fire Marshal’s Office is assisting in investigating the cause of the fire.

September 20 – The Gnesen and Makinen fire departments will be getting Assistance to Firefighter Grants (AFG) from the U.S. Department of Homeland Security. Both awards are for Operations and Safety. Gnesen is receiving $91,208 and Makinen will be getting $100,952. The grants were announced today.

September 14 – Firefighters from several departments participated in a “live burn” training exercise today at the former Idington church, on Highway 53, south of Cook. The church had been vacant for years and earlier this year, had been the scene of an arson fire. The training was conducted by AdvancedMinnesota through Mesabi Range College.