August 6 – In Clinton Township this evening, part of the activities for National Night Out included the 1st Annual Water Wars event put together by the Clinton Fire Department. The competition was held at the Clinton Townhall on State Highway 37. When all the water was done being sprayed, the Clinton Fire Department emerged as the champions, followed by Kinney-Great, McDavitt, and Cherry. The winning team will receive a travelling trophy and bragging rights. The set up for Water Wars was provided by Holmes Recycling of Clinton. Photos courtesy of Erin Theodore, Clinton Fire Department.

The Industrial Fire Department recently received some good news from the U.S. Department of Homeland Security. The department was informed on July 17 that it will be getting an Assistance to Firefighters Grant (AFG) in the amount of $113, 047.61. The monies are for Firefighter Operations and Safety.

July 28 – Six Iron Range fire departments were on the scene of a possible structure fire at the former Mountain Iron State Bank in downtown Mountain Iron. The fire was reported around 9:00 p.m. An overheated light ballast ignited some insulation causing a small fire which filled the building with smoke. All of the occupants were able to safely evacuate the building and no injuries were reported. Departments responding included: Mountain Iron, Virginia, Eveleth, Clinton, Kinney-Great Scott, and Pike-Sandy-Britt.

July 27 – Firefighters from Clinton, Cherry, McDavitt, and the Minnesota DNR battled a wildland fire this evening in a remote section of Clinton Township. The fire was reported around 5:50 p.m. near the intersection of St. Louis County Highway 7 and the Keenan Road. The fire consumed an estimated four acres. Crews were on the scene for over four hours. No injuries were reported. The cause of the fire is under investigation.

July 27 – Dozens of people showed up today to celebrate the 60th anniversary of the Pike-Sandy-Britt Fire Department. The celebration was held at the Pike firehall and included live music, bounce house, dunk tank, food, and refreshments. The Pike-Sandy-Britt Fire Department covers 240 square miles from three fire stations.

July 25 – Seven Iron Range fire departments were dispatched this morning to a fire at the Alpine Bar in downtown Biwabik. The fire was reported around 10:15. Firefighters contained the fire to the main floor of the building. No one was in the structure at the time and no injuries were reported. Departments on the scene included: City of Biwabik, Lakeland, Gilbert, Hoyt Lakes, Fayal Township, Palo, and Mountain Iron. The cause of the fire is under investigation by the Minnesota State Fire Marshal’s Office.

July 22-WDIO-TV reported today that a production truck at the Minntac mine in Mountain Iron caught fire early this morning. The driver was able to safely get out of the burning vehicle. No injuries were reported.
U.S. Steel officials are investigating the cause of the fire. The incident was reported just before 2:00 a.m. The Mountain Iron Fire Department, along with the Minntac Fire Brigade were dispatched to the fire.

July 19- One person received numerous burns, the result of a sauna fire in the Lake Fourteen area, north of Virginia. The fire was reported around 9:10 p.m. in the 7800 block of the Lake Fourteen Road. The Cook, Kinney-Great Scott, and Pike-Sandy-Britt fire departments were dispatched along the Virginia Ambulance Service. The burned individual was taken by ambulance to a local hospital. The sauna was a complete loss. The cause of the fire is under investigation.

July 20 – A home in Gnesen Township is considered a total loss, the result of an early morning fire. The blaze was reported around 2:30 a.m. in the 3600 block of Echo Lane. The occupants were able to safely evacuate after the home’s smoke detectors started alarming. One adult female was evaluated and treated for possible smoke inhalation. No other injuries were reported. The Gnesen, Rice Lake, Normanna, Lakewood, Canosia, North Star, and Minnesota Air National Guard fire departments were dispatched, along with the Mayo Clinic Ambulance Service. The cause of the fire is not considered suspicious, but is being investigated in cooperation with the Minnesota State Fire Marshal’s Office.