Lakewood Township Fire Department

A big Thank you to our mutual aid partners on this fire, including multiple rigs from Duluth Minnesota Fire Department

Fire destroyed a home in Lakewood Township this afternoon. The fire was reported around 1:20 in the 5200 block of Lakewood Road. The house was engulfed in flames and a complete loss. No injuries were reported and all occupants were able to safely evacuate the house. According to the St. Louis County Sheriff's Department, the fire does not appear to be suspicious, and no foul play is suspected. Departments responding included: Lakewood, Duluth, Minnesota Air National Guard, Hermantown, Proctor, Canosia, Normanna, Gnesen, Clifton, Two Harbors, and Minnesota DNR. The St. Louis County Rescue Squad, St. Louis County Sheriff's Department, and St. Louis County Emergency Management Division also assisted. Photo: St. Louis County Sheriff's Department

Area resources are stretched to the max this evening due to multiple growing wildfires in St. Louis and Lake Counties. Lakewood units are currently responding to the large fire North of Two Harbors. We can not stress this enough, Please do not have any fires or charcoal burning grills going for the next few days until it rains. Warm temperatures and high winds are setting the stage for explosive fire conditions.

Critical fire weather is expected on Friday, and Red Flag Warnings are in effect across the region. Strong winds and very dry air mean fires could spread quickly. Avoid outdoor burning! See graphic for timing details.

The St. Louis County Sheriff's Office would like to remind the public that we are now entering wildfire season in northern Minnesota. The conditions are becoming increasingly favorable for wildfires to develop and spread. It is crucial that everyone closely follows the Minnesota DNR fire restrictions. Additionally, when you do have a fire, it is important to never leave that fire unattended and to always have a method immediately available to extinguish it.

As the season progresses, Deputies will be responding to and investigating wildfires. If a fire is determined to have been set negligently or left unattended, citations may be issued.

https://www.dnr.state.mn.us/forestry/fire/firerating_restrictions.html

It's that time of year again where explosive fire growth can occur in just a few minutes. Please be careful and think twice before burning. Nobody wants a repeat of the situation which unfolded in Brimson last Spring.

Critical fire weather conditions are possible on Monday due to strong southwest winds gusting to 25-30 mph and relative humidity falling to around 25 percent. Any fires that ignite could spread rapidly and become difficult to control. Outdoor burning is not recommended.

The end of an era. Our old Engine № 2, a 1992 GMC topkick pumper built by Luverne fire apparatus was sold at auction yesterday. It will start its new life as a tree service vehicle in the Eau Claire Wisconsin area. This was one of our department's first brand new fire apparatus. It was replaced last year by our current engine / tender № 61, a 2024 Kenworth T-880 built by Custom Fire Apparatus, Inc.