December 31 – The Hibbing, Chisholm, Keewatin and Virginia fire departments were paged out this afternoon to a structure fire in Hibbing. The fire was reported around 2:50 P.M. in the 3700 block of 4th Avenue East. An ATV inside a garage caught fire, but was pulled outside by the homeowner. The ATV was a total loss while the garage had minor damage. Hibbing firefighters remained on the scene for a short time, while the other department were cancelled while enroute. The cause of the fire is under investigation.

December 31 – The Chisholm Fire Department was dispatched this evening (Sunday) to a report of a structure fire in Balkan Township. The call came in around 8:40 P.M. in the 6000 block of Krogerus Road. A Chisholm Fire Department official said that the homeowner was feeding a wood boiler in a garage when it flashed, causing the trusses to start on fire. Using a garden hose, the homeowner was able to keep the fire from spreading. Arriving Chisholm firefighters conducted mop up operations and checked for hot spots. Only minimal damages were reported.

January 1 – The Embarrass Regional Volunteer Fire Department responded to 91 calls last year. According to fire department officials, approximately 85% of the calls were EMS related while the remaining 15% were fire responses. ERVD officials said that work on a wildland/rescue truck is nearing completion. Another project involves increasing the department’s static water supply by an additional 10,000 gallons to a total of 30,000 gallons. The ERVFD serves Embarrass, Waasa, Kulger, and White townships, along with several unorganized townships.

December 22 – Four Iron Range fire departments (Cherry, Clinton, Kinney-Great Scott, McDavitt) battled a house fire in Cherry Township this evening. The fire was reported around 8:20 P.M. in the 9700 block of the Iron Junction Road. Arriving firefighters found the house engulfed in flames. No injuries were reported. The house was vacant at the time. The Minnesota State Fire Marshal’s Office has been called in to investigate the cause of the fire.

December 13 – A home in Great Scott Township, east of Buhl, is a total loss after an afternoon fire. The fire was reported around 2:00 P.M. in the 5100 block of Country Road. Arriving firefighters found smoke coming from the roof of the house. According to a news release from the St. Louis County Sheriff’s Department, it is believed that a cat and rabbit died in the fire while all occupants were accounted for. The cause of the fire appears to be accidental. The Kinney-Great Scott, Cherry, Mountain Iron, and Chisholm fire Departments responded. The Northland Chapter of the American Red Cross is assisting those displaced by the fire.

December 11 – A home in Grand Lake Township, north of Duluth, is considered a total loss after a fire this evening. The fire was reported around 8:00 P.M. in the 5900 block of Sunny Lane. One dog perished in the fire. Departments on the scene included: Grand Lake, Canosia, Hermantown, Solway, and the Minnesota Air National Guard. According to the St. Louis County Sheriff’s Department, a space heater in a bathroom was the cause of the fire.

December 9- Cook firefighters were dispatched this afternoon to a camper trailer fire in Beatty Township near Cook. The fire was reported around 2:00 P.M. in the 9400 block of the East Olson Road. When firefighters arrived, the 40 foot-5th wheeler was engulfed in flames. The camper was considered a total loss. No injuries were reported. The Pike-Sandy-Britt Fire Department was also dispatched, but cancelled while enroute.

Ice has formed on many of the area lakes and rivers. Here’s a good reminder from the Minnesota DNR about ice thickness.