December 8 – Lakeland, Palo, and Fayal Township firefighters spent this afternoon battling a garage-house fire in the Lakeland area, south of Biwabik. The blaze was reported around 12:40 p.m. in the 4400 block of the Vermilion Trail/County Highway 4. Firefighters contained most of the damage to the garage area, although the house had smoke damage. No injuries were reported. The cause of the fire is under investigation.

December 13 – Four Iron Range fire departments (Virginia, Eveleth, Mountain Iron, Hibbing) were dispatched around 3:00 this afternoon to a report of a fire at the Copper Nickel Restaurant at the Virginia Golf Course. According to Virginia Deputy Fire Chief Erik Jonassen, a small fire was contained to a storage room. Virginia firefighters were able to ventilate the building. The Eveleth, Mountain Iron and Hibbing departments were cancelled while enroute. The restaurant was able to re-open just in time for a Christmas party. No injuries were reported and the cause of the fire is under investigation.

December 11 – The Eveleth Fire Department, in cooperation with the Woodlands Bible Church in Eveleth, held its yearly Christmas Food Drive. Fire department personnel travelled throughout the city, picking up non-perishable food items left out by city residents. “The food drive was a great success,” said Eveleth Fire Chief Guy Spurlin. “We know this will really make a brighter Christmas for a lot of less fortunate families.”

November 30 – The annual Stuff The Ambulance wrapped up today at the McDonald’s on 12th Avenue South in Virginia. Organizers told The Northland Fire Wire that $2117 was raised during the two day event , along with 708 toys/donations. Those participating inc.uded: Virginia EMS/Fire, Virginia Police Lt. Swenson (Blue Santa), VFD Retired Captain Gwen Webb, Mountain Iron Fire Department, Gilbert Police Department, Kinney Great Scott Fire Department, and the St. Louis County Sheriff’s Department.

November 15 – A memorial service was held this morning for Lakeland Firefighter/First Responder Dan Hanson, who passed away on Thursday, November 7, after a courageous battle against pancreatic cancer. Dan, age 61, retired from the Virginia Police Department as a lieutenant. He was also a Cub Scout and Boy Scout leader. ” Dan was a true public servant,” said Lakeland Fire Chief Mike Plesha. “He was always willing to help someone out.” The memorial service was held at Our Saviors Lutheran in Aurora.

November 15- A late night fire in rural Hibbing resulted in the loss of a garage. The fire was reported around 10: 00 p.m. in 11,000 block of Townline Road. The Hibbing, Chisholm, Keewatin, and Virginia fire departments were dispatched to the blaze. No injuries were reported. The cause of the fire is under investigation by the Hibbing Fire Marshal’s Office.

November 15 – Multiple agencies responded late this afternoon to a report of a ultralight aircraft crash in Fayal Township, near Eveleth. The incident was reported around 5:30 p.m. in a heavily wooded and swampy area near the Ely Lake Airport and Seaplane Base. For awhile, the lone pilot was trapped in the downed aircraft. Crews from the St. Louis County Rescue Squad, Fayal Fire Department, and Eveleth Fire Department, along with EMS personnel from Eveleth and Virginia were involved in the search and rescue efforts. Law enforcement officers from Minnesota DNR, Eveleth Police Department, St. Louis County Sheriff’s Department and Minnesota State Patrol also responded. A Lifelink medical helicopter was on standby at the seaplane base. The pilot, who is from Fayal Township, was transported by ambulance to the Essentia-Virginia hospital with non-life threatening injuries.

November 9 – Fire destroyed a garage in Embarrass Township this evening. The fire was reported around 11:00 p.m. in the 7100 block of the Salmela Road. Firefighters from six departments (Embarrass, Babbitt, Pike-Sandy-Britt, Aurora, Biwabik, Vermilion Lake) were involved in fighting the fire. No injuries were reported. The Babbitt Ambulance Service provided medical standby at the scene. The cause of the fire is under investigation.

November 8 – McDavitt, Clinton, Cherry, and Central Lakes firefighters battled a trailer house fire in McDavitt Township this evening. The fire was reported around 9:40 p.m. in the 8400 block of the Zim Road. The trailer house was engulfed in flames when crews arrived and is considered a total.loss. No injuries were reported. The cause of the blaze is under investigation by the St. Louis County Sheriff’s Department and the Minnesota State Fire Marshal’s Office.