The Northland FireWire

September 6 – Clinton Township firefighters were dispatched this evening to a report of a train car fire in the Canadian National (CN) rail yard in Iron Junction, southwest of Eveleth. A passerby reported seeing smoke and flames in the yard. Arriving firefighters discovered that CN employees were burning off propane from two large tanks. Clinton Fire Chief Jim Theodore told The Northland Fire Wire that the gas burn-offs would continue for possibly two more days and that residents should not be alarmed when they see the high flames coming from the facility.

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September 2 – Hibbing Fire Department Battalion Chief Tony Sikich has successfully passed the Fire Instructor II certification examination. Congratulations Chief Sikich. Submitted photo.

September 1 – The Normanna and Grand Lake fire departments were recently notified that they would be receiving Assistance to Firefighter Grants (AFG) from the U.S. Department of Homeland Security. Grand Lake will be getting $216,697.70 while Normanna is receiving $88,285.71. Both grants are for Firefighter Operations and Safety.

September 4 – Firefighters from Eveleth, Virginia, Mountain Iron, Fayal Township and Gilbert battled an early morning garage fire in Eveleth. The fire was reported around 4:40 a.m. in the 700 block of Garfield Street. The garage, along with two pick-up trucks and an SUV, were destroyed. Several garages and a small SUV had heat damage. Witnesses said that at the height of the blaze, several explosions were heard. No injuries were reported and the cause of the fire is under investigation by the Minnesota State Fire Marshal’s Office.

August 19- McDavitt, Cherry, and Clinton firefighters were dispatched this evening to a garage fire in McDavitt Township. The fire was reported by a passerby in the 2600 block of Admiral Road South. When fire crews arrived, they found a garage that was fully engulfed in smoke and flames. No injuries were reported and the cause is under investigation.

August 19 – Officiasl with the Eagles Nest Fire Department report that they had a great turnout at the organization’s Open House event. The events ranged from a bake sale, touch a truck, and other fun activities for children (see picture). ”We had a good crowd and lots of kids,” said Mike Ostland, Eagles Nest Township Emergency Manager. Proceeds from the bake sale will be used by the fire department auxiliary to purchase equipment for the fire department. An estimated 50-60 attended the open house. Photos courtesy of the Eagles Nest Fire Department.

August 22 – A woman has been taken into custody in connection with an early morning house fire in the Makinen area. St. Louis County Sheriff’s Department officials say it all began when deputies were sent to a disturbance call at a residence in the 6600 block of the Wilson Road. Upon arrival officers found a fire in a woodpile in a lean-to, which was attached to the house. The fire spread to the house with a person still inside. Deputies were able to make contact with the man inside and he was able to safely evacuate the burning structure. A woman, who was standing in a field near the house at the time, was detained and taken to the St. Louis County Jail. Numerous fire departments were dispatched to the blaze around 5:30 a.m. The departments included: Makinen, Lakeland, Colvin, Palo, Fayal Township, Central Lakes and Gilbert. The house is considered a total loss. The fire remains under investigation by the St. Louis County Sheriff’s Department and the Minnesota State Fire Marshal’s Office.

August 8 – An afternoon wildland fire consumed about 15 acres and destroyed about two dozen hay bales in the Embarrass area. The fire was reported around 1:30 in the 7500 block of the Sauna Road. Firefighters from Embarrass, Babbitt, Pike-Sandy-Britt, Minnesota DNR, and U.S. Forest Service were involved in fighting the blaze. No structures were lost and no injuries were reported. The cause of the fire is under investigation.