May 21 – Firefighters from nearly half a dozen agencies battled a wildland fire this afternoon and this evening in the Makinen area.  The fire was reported in the 3000 block of the Little Lake Road.  The firefighting effort involved two FireBoss aircraft, a helicopter, and a number of tracked vehicles.  The fire consumed about 70 acres.  Agencies on the scene included: Minnesota DNR, U.S. Forest Service, Makinen Fire Department, Central Lakes Fire Department, and Lakeland Fire Department.  The cause of the fire is under investigation.

May 17 – The region said “goodbye” to former Hoyt Lakes Fire and Police Chief Steve Stoks, who was tragically killed in a garbage truck accident earlier this week in Biwabik. Public Safety personnel from throughout the region gathered at the Assembly of God Church in Aurora for funeral services.  Beforehand, a procession of emergency vehicles made its way from the Hoyt Lakes Public Safety Building to the church.  Chief Stoks had served the East Range for more than 32 years as a firefighter, EMT, and law enforcement officer. 

QMay 13 – EMS and fire/rescue personnel from Biwabik responded around 8:30 this morning to a report of a man pinned against a fence and dumpster by a garbage truck. The 61 year old man was pronounced dead at the scene. The Hoyt Lakes EMS and Fire Department Facebook Page announced that former Hoyt Lakes Fire Chief Steve Stoks, who also retired as the Hoyt Lakes Police Chief, had died today. The investigation into the incident is being conducted by the Gilbert Police Department, Midwest Medical Examiners Office, and the Minnesota State Patrol. Some information provided by WDIO-TV.

May 13 – Virginia, Eveleth, and Mountain Iron firefighters responded around 3:30 this afternoon to a report of a house fire in the 600 block of 3rd Street South in Virginia. A small fire was contained to one room. There were no injuries and the cause is under investigation.

March 13 – Virginia EMS and fire/rescue personnel responded to a multiple vehicle crash this afternoon at the intersection of Highway 53 and 12th Avenue South in Virginia.  Several people were transported by ambulance to a local hospital.  The crash, which involved three passenger vehicles and a commercial truck, is under investigation by the Minnesota State Patrol.

February 27 – Virginia firefighters, with the assistance of police officers, rescued a woman found clinging to the second story window of a burning house. The fire was reported around 12:10 a.m. in the 200 block of 2nd Street South. Virginia firefighter/paramedic Jim Hipple is credited with making the rescue with the use of a ground ladder. “It was a crew effort,” said Hipple. “Everybody’s training paid off that night. It wasn’t just me. This was a very rewarding experience for everyone, especially the crew.” The woman was transported to a local hospital with unknown injuries. Firefighters quickly knocked down the fire and no other injuries were reported. Firefighters from: Eveleth, Mountain Iron, Pike-Sandy-Britt, Gilbert, Fayal Township, and Hibbing were dispatched to the fire. The cause is under investigation.

February 23 – Seven fire departments were involved in fighting a house fire in rural Hibbing.  The fire was reported around 8:00 p.m. on the South Dublin Road.  Arriving Hibbing firefighters found smoke and flames coming from the front of the house.  No one was home at the time.  Two family dogs managed to escape.  No injuries were reported.  The house was extensively damaged.  Fire departments on the scene included: Hibbing, Chisholm, Keewatin, Nashwauk, Cherry, Clinton, and Fayal.  The cause of the fire is under investigation.

February 19 – The Eveleth City Council has named Guy Spurlin as Fire Chief. Spurlin will officially take over on March 1. He succeeds Scott Haas, who has held the position for several years.

February 13 – Fire and EMS personnel from Virginia and Gilbert worked this morning to extricate the driver from a pickup truck, which had rolled over on Highway 135 in Gilbert. The crash was reported around 7:15 a.m. The Minnesota State Patrol, Gilbert Police, and the St. Louis County Sheriff’s Department also assisted at the scene. The roads were slippery at the time of crash.

With another round of snow hitting the Arrowhead Region, The Northland Fire Wire reminds area residents to keep their fire hydrants clear of snow. Area fire department officials say keeping a hydrant clear can save time in the event of a fire. Residents are encouraged to have a three foot wide path to and around the hydrant.