September 11-Firefighters from 12 Iron Range fire departments battled a morning blaze at the Countryside Estates apartment complex in West Eveleth. The fire was reported just before 8:30 a.m. in the Spruce Building. Arriving firefighters saw smoke and flames coming from a second floor apartment. Several apartments inside the building received extensive damage. Twenty four people were displaced by the fire. No injuries were reported. The cause of the fire is under investigation by the Minnesota State Fire Marshal’s Office. Departments involved in fighting the fire included: Eveleth, Virginia, Mountain Iron, Fayal Township, Gilbert, Cherry, Clinton, Pike-Sandy-Britt, Kinney-Great Scott, Central Lakes, Hibbing, and the U.S.Steel Fire Brigade at MINNTAC.

It’s official! Northeastern Minnesota has a new Deputy State Fire Marshal. 20 year law enforcement veteran Rich Sellman was recently named to the position by Minnesota State Fire Marshal Bruce West. In addition to his many years in law enforcement, Sellman is a member of the Chisholm Fire Department and Chisholm Ambulance Service. “We’re very proud of Rich and his new position,” said Chisholm Fire Chief Bob Brown. “He is dedicated, hardworking and a perfect fit for the job!” Sellman takes over for Jim Iammatteo, who was promoted to Chief Investigator for the Minnesota State Fire Marshal’s Office. Sellman is now undergoing additional training and will be in the field in the very near future.

July 27- The Virginia Fire Department and local law enforcement officials continue to investigate an early morning porch fire. The fire was reported around 6:00 a.m. at 309 1/2 6th Avenue North. The fire caused about $15,000 in damage. The Mountain Iron and Eveleth fire departments were also dispatched.

The Bovey Fire Department has received an Assistance to Firefighters Grant (AFG) in the amount of $78,880. The award is Operations and Safety. The grant to Bovey was announced on July 25.

July 14 -Firefighters from Central Lakes, Makinen, Fayal, Eveleth and Ellsburg were dispatched this morning to a garage/’pole barn fire in the 3300 block of U.S. Highway 53 in the Central Lakes area, south of Eveleth. The fire was reported before 6:30 a.m. Arriving crews found the structure engulfed in flames. The cause of the fire is under investigation.

The Lakeland Fire Department, which is located south of Biwabik, has received a $161,500 Assistance to Firefighters Grant (AFG) from the Department of Homeland Security. The funding will be used to purchase a wildland fire apparatus.

July 6 – A late afternoon fire at United Taconite Thunderbird Mine has destroyed one of the mine’s large production trucks. The fire was reported around 5:45 p.m. Firefighters from Eveleth, Virginia, Fayal Township, Clinton, Mountain Iron, Biwabik Township, Central Lakes and U.S. Steel battled the large fire. Heavy black smoke could be seen for many miles, prompting several calls to the St. Louis County Emergency Communications Center. It’s not known if there were any injuries. The cause of the fire is under investigation.

July 4 – An early morning blaze caused extensive damage to a utility building used by the Tower Fire Department. The fire was reported around 5:15 a.m. Firefighters from Tower, Breitung Township and Greenwood Township were dispatched. A snowmobile, UTV and wildland fire apparatus were damaged. The cause of the fire is under investigation. No injuries were reported.

June 7 – Firefighters from seven Iron Range fire departments battled a roof fire at the Hibbing Public Utilities steam plant near downtown Hibbing. The fire was reported just before 9:00 p.m. when heavy black smoke was seen coming from the seven story complex. There was a fire on the main floor of the plant, which was extinguished by PUC employees. The working fire was on the roof deck. A large section of the roof insulation and rubber membrane needed to be removed. The fire was declared under control at 10:35 p.m. Damages are estimated at $30,000. No injuries were reported and the cause is under investigation.