July 27 – Dozens of people showed up today to celebrate the 60th anniversary of the Pike-Sandy-Britt Fire Department. The celebration was held at the Pike firehall and included live music, bounce house, dunk tank, food, and refreshments. The Pike-Sandy-Britt Fire Department covers 240 square miles from three fire stations.

July 25 – Seven Iron Range fire departments were dispatched this morning to a fire at the Alpine Bar in downtown Biwabik. The fire was reported around 10:15. Firefighters contained the fire to the main floor of the building. No one was in the structure at the time and no injuries were reported. Departments on the scene included: City of Biwabik, Lakeland, Gilbert, Hoyt Lakes, Fayal Township, Palo, and Mountain Iron. The cause of the fire is under investigation by the Minnesota State Fire Marshal’s Office.

July 22-WDIO-TV reported today that a production truck at the Minntac mine in Mountain Iron caught fire early this morning. The driver was able to safely get out of the burning vehicle. No injuries were reported.
U.S. Steel officials are investigating the cause of the fire. The incident was reported just before 2:00 a.m. The Mountain Iron Fire Department, along with the Minntac Fire Brigade were dispatched to the fire.

July 19- One person received numerous burns, the result of a sauna fire in the Lake Fourteen area, north of Virginia. The fire was reported around 9:10 p.m. in the 7800 block of the Lake Fourteen Road. The Cook, Kinney-Great Scott, and Pike-Sandy-Britt fire departments were dispatched along the Virginia Ambulance Service. The burned individual was taken by ambulance to a local hospital. The sauna was a complete loss. The cause of the fire is under investigation.

July 20 – A home in Gnesen Township is considered a total loss, the result of an early morning fire. The blaze was reported around 2:30 a.m. in the 3600 block of Echo Lane. The occupants were able to safely evacuate after the home’s smoke detectors started alarming. One adult female was evaluated and treated for possible smoke inhalation. No other injuries were reported. The Gnesen, Rice Lake, Normanna, Lakewood, Canosia, North Star, and Minnesota Air National Guard fire departments were dispatched, along with the Mayo Clinic Ambulance Service. The cause of the fire is not considered suspicious, but is being investigated in cooperation with the Minnesota State Fire Marshal’s Office.

July 3 – Greenwood Township and Tower firefighters were dispatched early this morning to a recreational vehicle fire in Greenwood Township, near Tower. The fire was reported around 1:00 a.m. at the intersection of St. Louis County Highway 77 and the Vermilion Reservation Road. St. Louis County Sheriff’s officials say the vehicle overheated and came to a stop. The driver and owner from Cook then noticed flames coming from the engine compartment. The vehicle is considered a total loss.

July 2 – Ribbon cutting ceremonies were held today for Chisholm’s brand new public safety center. An estimated 100 local residents were in attendance. The facility replaces the over 100 year old firehall/police station and the city’s ambulance garage. The cost was around $12 million with funding coming from federal, state, and local sources. The new building will house the police department, fire department, and paramedic ambulance service.

July 1 – Multiple fire departments from across the Iron Range were dispatched this evening to a fire at a vacant apartment house in Eveleth. The fire was reported in the 500 block of Adams Avenue. The first alarm brought in crews from Eveleth, Fayal Township, Gilbert, Virginia, and Mountain Iron. Additional resources were dispatched from the Clinton Township, Lakeland, Biwabik Township, and City of Biwabik fire departments. Through a combination of interior and exterior fire attacks, firefighters were able to keep the blaze contained to the interior of the large structure. The Eveleth Ambulance Service provided medical standby while the Eveleth Police Department and the St. Louis County Sheriff’s Department assisted with traffic control. The cause of the fire is under investigation.

June 29 – A late night fire damaged part of the exterior of the Mlaker Funeral Home in Cook. The fire was reported around 11:50 p.m. Cook firefighters quickly knocked down the fire, which was near a rear entrance to the building. The Pike-Sandy-Britt and Kinney-Great Scott Fire departments were also dispatched, but were cancelled enroute. The Cook Ambulance Service provided medical standby at the scene. No injuries were reported and the cause remains under investigation.