The Northland FireWire

August 22 – A woman has been taken into custody in connection with an early morning house fire in the Makinen area. St. Louis County Sheriff’s Department officials say it all began when deputies were sent to a disturbance call at a residence in the 6600 block of the Wilson Road. Upon arrival officers found a fire in a woodpile in a lean-to, which was attached to the house. The fire spread to the house with a person still inside. Deputies were able to make contact with the man inside and he was able to safely evacuate the burning structure. A woman, who was standing in a field near the house at the time, was detained and taken to the St. Louis County Jail. Numerous fire departments were dispatched to the blaze around 5:30 a.m. The departments included: Makinen, Lakeland, Colvin, Palo, Fayal Township, Central Lakes and Gilbert. The house is considered a total loss. The fire remains under investigation by the St. Louis County Sheriff’s Department and the Minnesota State Fire Marshal’s Office.

August 8 – An afternoon wildland fire consumed about 15 acres and destroyed about two dozen hay bales in the Embarrass area. The fire was reported around 1:30 in the 7500 block of the Sauna Road. Firefighters from Embarrass, Babbitt, Pike-Sandy-Britt, Minnesota DNR, and U.S. Forest Service were involved in fighting the blaze. No structures were lost and no injuries were reported. The cause of the fire is under investigation.

July 19 – Emergency vehicles from the Ely area participated in a procession through the city in honor of 27 year old William Fearn, a member of the Morse-Fall Lake Fire Department. Fearn died July 17, the result of a single vehicle accident in the 2100 block of Grant McMahan Boulevard/County Road 88 in Morse Township. According to the St. Louis County Sheriff’s Department, Fearn was the driver and only occupant of his pick-up truck when the vehicle went off the road, into a ditch, and struck a power pole. He was pronounced dead at the scene. Photos: Ely Echo and What’s Up In Ely, MN?

July 20 – Eveleth firefighters were paged out tonight to a four wheeler fire in Eveleth. The incident was reported around 6:55 p.m. in the 900 block of Hat Trick Avenue, near the U.S. Hockey Hall of Flame. The vehicle was engulfed in flames and heavy smoke when firefighters arrived. The four wheeler was a total loss. No injuries were reported. The Eveleth Police Department was also on the scene and closed down the street for a short period of time.

Friends and colleagues of St. Paul Fire Captain Chris Parsons have vowed to keep his memory and his causes alive. Parsons, who passed away on June 15, was a fierce advocate for firefighter health and safety. For this reason, the Minnesota Firefighter Initiative (MnFIRE), with permission from the Parsons Family, has established the Chris Parsons Memorial Fund for PFAS Research. “Chris was an unwavering champion for firefighter well-being, which will forever be part of his legacy,” said George Esbensen, President of MnFIRE. ”While he cared deeply about Minnesota’s firefighters and all the challenges they face, he was especially focused on championing legislation that banned PFAS.” Esbensen told The Northland Fire Wire that Parsons’ daughters Kaya and Annika asked MnFIRE to help administer the memorial fund for PFAS research as a tribute to their father. ”I can’t think of a better way to continue the work that Chris was so passionate about than to raise funds and awareness about the impact of cancer-causing chemical fire retardants,” added Esbensen.

In a brief conversation with The Northland Fire Wire, Kaya Parsons said she and her sister want to keep their father’s legacy alive. “We want to be involved in some way with what our Dad was doing,” said Kaya. A number of Minnesota Fire Service organizations have contributed to the fund, including MnFIRE, Minnesota Professional Fire Fighters (MPFF), Coon Rapids Fire Local 1935, and St. Paul Fire Local 21. The goal for the Chris Parsons Memorial Fund for PFAS Research is $25,000. Currently, nearly $10,500 has been collected. ”There’s not a single Minnesota firefighter or family member who doesn’t owe Chris Parsons a debt of gratitude,” said Esbensen. ”While Chris will be sorely missed, this fund and the research it supports will help continue what he started.”

To make a contribution to the Chris Parsons Memorial Fund for PFAS Research, simply go to the MnFIRE website (mnfireinitiative.com) and click on the Chris Parsons Memorial Fund.

July 15 – Firefighters from five Iron Range fire departments (Makinen, Fayal, Central Lakes, Colvin, McDavitt) were dispatched this morning to a small barn fire in the Makinen area. The fire was reported around 7:50 A.M. in the 3400 block of Clyde Road. The structure, which had been a homestead, was engulfed in flames when crews arrived and is considered a total loss. The cause of the fire is under investigation.

July 14 – Firefighters from Hibbing, Chisholm, and Keewatin were dispatched this morning to a fire in a group home in Hibbing. The fire was called in shortly before 8:30 A.M. in the 800 block of Meadow Drive. All of the residents were safely evacuated before crews arrived, although one resident received what appeared to be minor burns and was transported by the Nashwauk Ambulance to the Hibbing hospital. Firefighters contained the fire to a mattress in a bedroom, although the entire building had smoke damage. The cause of the fire is under investigation.

July 10 – The Hibbing, Keewatin, Chisholm, and Virginia fire departments were dispatched this morning to a garage fire in Hibbing. The fire was reported around 6:00 A.M. in the 2700 block of 18th Avenue East. Hibbing firefighters quickly knocked down the fire, keeping it from spreading into the nearby residence. The other fire departments were cancelled while enroute to the scene. Damages were contained to the garage, although the residence was also damaged. No injuries were reported. The cause of the fire is under investigation.