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.

February 10 – A late afternoon house fire in Lavell Township, southeast of Hibbing, required the resources of five area fire departments.  The blaze was reported around 4:40 p.m. in the 9500 hundred block of the Zim Road.  The lone occupant of the home was able to escape without injury.  The suspected cause is a space heater located in the basement.  Firefighters from McDavitt, Clinton, Cherry, Central Lakes, and Toivola responded to the scene.  No injuries were reported.  The Minnesota State Fire Marshal’s Office is assisting in the investigation of the cause.

January 28-Firefighters from Eveleth, Fayal Township, Virginia, and Gilbert were dispatched this morning to a garage fire in the 800 block of Harrison Street in Eveleth.  The fire was reported around 10:55 a.m.  The garage was a total loss and a nearby house sustained damage to its siding.  The cause is under investigation.

January 25-Virginia, Mountain Iron, and Eveleth firefighters were called early this afternoon to an electrical fire at the ArcelorMittal taconite plant north of Virginia.  The fire was contained to a transformer.  No injuries were reported.  The incident was reported around 12:55 and crews were on the scene for less than an hour.

January 1 -Virginia, Eveleth, and Mountain Iron firefighters were called to a house fire in Virginia this evening.  The fire was reported in the 900 block of 3rd Avenue South. Arriving Virginia firefighters found the small house filled with smoke and a fire in the basement, which was extinguished.  No one was home at the time and no injuries were reported.  The cause of the fire is under investigation. 

The recent tragic deaths of two Cloquet residents on White Iron Lake near Ely should remind all of us that ice is never 100% safe.  Stay informed of the ice thickness of area lakes and rivers.  And, if you don’t know,…don’t go!