Cook County Law Enforcement received a report of a grass fire near Clearview General Store at 5:15 p.m. on Sunday, May 1. The caller reported that the fire was about 20 feet from a structure and “getting out of control.”
The Lutsen Fire Department, Lutsen First Responders, Cook County Ambulance, Minnesota Department of Natural Resources and U.S. Forest Service fire services were paged. After the scene was assessed, the ambulance was cancelled at 5:36 p.m.
Lutsen Fire arrived at the fire on Norbakken Road at 5:23 p.m. with three units and the EMS vehicle. The wildfire was burning in the dry grassy area between the North Shore Federal Credit Union and the Clearview building.
Lutsen Fire Chief Larry McNeally said his department put about 500 gallons of water on the fire and quickly knocked it down.
A U.S. Forest Service fire crew arrived at 5:40 p.m. The DNR did not respond, but stood by, monitoring by radio in case they were needed.
Lutsen Fire Department used its infrared camera and conducted a perimeter search to ensure there were no hot spots that could re-ignite. They put additional water on about three spots, said McNeally, before they turned the scene over to a U.S. Forest Service fire crew to monitor. All emergency responders were clear from the scene by 6:33 p.m.
The reporting party admitted to starting a campfire on his land. He described it as 3-feet by 3-feet in size, not contained in a fire ring. He said as it spread it set a large pine tree on fire and he knew it was out of control so he immediately called 911. He also began warning nearby residents.
The fire claimed some brush and trees but did not result in the loss of any property or life. McNeally said the wind was relatively calm, so the fire had not spread too fast. He estimated that it burned an area about 130-feet by 40-feet before the Lutsen department was able to extinguish it.
McNeally added that he was pleased with the rapid response from his firefighters.
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