August 3 – Firefighters from several St. Louis County departments battled a semi tanker truck fire this afternoon on U.S. Highway 53 near Cotton. The fire was reported around 1:00 p.m. in the northbound lane, just north of the Three Lakes Road. Firefighters were able to contain the fire to the rear wheels of the tanker and initial reports said there was no spillage of product at the scene. Fire departments dispatched to the fire included: Cotton, Ellsburg, Northland, Alborn, and the Minnesota Air National Guard in Duluth. No injuries were reported and the cause remains under investigation. The semi tanker truck is owned by Edwards Oil of Virginia. The northbound lane was closed for over an hour.
