Fry Unit prescribed fire near Isabella grows beyond boundaries to become wildfire

A prescribed burn near Isabella, Minn., escalated into a wildfire on Wednesday, May 15, when it exceeded its intended 72-acre area. Superior National Forest officials began the scheduled prescribed burn on Wednesday morning within the Fry unit, east of Little Isabella Campground along Hwy 1. At approximately 1 p.m., Forest Service crews declared a wildfire within the prescribed Fry unit project area. The Fry Fire is being addressed with aircraft and ground resources. Forest Service officials said the total acreage of the wildfire is unknown at this time. “The Fry Fire is an evolving situation,” wrote Joy VanDrie, the Superior National Forest public affairs staff officer. The prescribed burn is one of many scheduled burns across the Superior National Forest this week to reduce hazardous fuels and prepare the unit for natural regeneration.
WTIP-FM 90.7 Grand Marais

Man trapped in Murray County grain bin confirmed dead, identified

The Murray County Sheriff’s Office has confirmed that a 48-year-old man who was trapped in a grain bin near Balaton, Minnesota, on Wednesday was pronounced dead at the scene. Information gathered at the scene indicates that Bruce Larson of rural Balaton entered a grain bin to install grain handling equipment and became submersed in grain. When Larson was extricated from the bin, life-saving measures were performed by medical personnel, but they were unsuccessful and Larson was pronounced dead at the scene.
KEYC-TV CBS/FOX 12 Mankato

La Crescent Fire Department gets hands-on training

VIDEO/PHOTOS: Members of the La Crescent Fire Department got some hands-on practice on Tuesday night. They were able to train in a building that formerly housed a dry cleaning business. The building is slated for demolition. The owner of Apple Blossom Cleaners reached out to the fire department to offer the building for training. Firefighters got the opportunity to work on ventilation, search and rescue, forcible entry, and basic pump operations.
WXOW-TV ABC 19 La Crosse

1 person sent to hospital in Duluth house fire

The Duluth Fire Department was dispatched to a structure fire that broke out Tuesday afternoon at 3035 Hagberg St. Crews from Miller Hill, Lincoln Park, Spirit Valley, UMD, Woodland and Downtown Headquarters all responded to the fire around 2:10 p.m. Upon arrival, the front of the four-bedroom house was in flames. Most occupants evacuated safely, but one person was still inside the home when fire crews arrived. The rescued person was treated and transported to a nearby hospital for further treatment. There is no further information about the condition of the individual. The incident is under investigation by the Duluth Fire Marshal’s Office. Damage to the home and its contents is estimated at $400,000.
KBJR-TV NBC 6 Duluth

11th Elk River Fire Academy graduates another 16 recruits

PHOTOS: Sixteen fire service recruits graduated from the Elk River Fire Academy in an April 24 ceremony at Zabee Theater inside Elk River High School. The firefighters from Albertville, Baldwin, Big Lake, Elk River and Zimmerman departments are members of the 11th graduating class. The recruits took part in an intensive five-month course, which includes both classroom and hands-on training to prepare the recruits for entry-level positions in their various fire departments. The recruits were certified in Firefighter I and II and HazMat Operations. The academy is made possible by folks like Elk River Fire Department Fire Chief Mark Dickinson and Deputy Fire Chief Casey Neumann along with all the instructors. This year’s academy featured a new approach.
Elk River Star News

Farmers spring into action to help northeast Minneapolis farmer after devastating fire

VIDEO: A fire wiped out thousands of plants, putting one urban farmer on the verge of losing it all. Without a greenhouse, Elyssa Eull grew plants through the winter in her northeast Minneapolis basement. Just when she thought she was done for, some fellow farmers sprung into action. In the shadow of a giant rabbit in northeast Minneapolis, you'll find Elyssa Eull tending to the California Street Farm. The organic produce there goes to local families, restaurants and farmers' markets to nourish her community. "I love food so much, so for me food is this great connector," she said. But earlier this month, it was Eull who needed help when a fire at her duplex wiped out months of work. It almost leveled the operation. "It was completely overwhelming I would say in that moment," Eull said. But then her friend asked other farmers to step up.
WCCO-TV CBS 4 Minneapolis