John Saxhaug
John Saxhaug has been contracted to work with Cook County’s Firewise program, Emergency Management Director Jim Wiinanen has announced.
Saxhaug is a part-time resident of Cook County living at his cabin in Lutsen. He is a graduate forester, conservation professional and native of northeastern Minnesota. “I have a great affection and interest in the area, its land and people,” Saxhaug said.
His undergraduate degree in forest resource management included training in fire behavior and suppression. After starting his career in Utah, Saxhaug relocated to Minnesota, where he has enjoyed a long career including time with Potlatch Corporation, the state Department of Natural Resources and most recently with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. Throughout his career Saxhaug has been an educator with strong communication skills in working with stakeholders and landowners, Wiinanen said.
Cook County has an active Firewise program run largely by the Firewise Committee and several dedicated volunteers. By combining state and federal funding sources the Firewise program will have leadership and oversight for several programs related to wildfire mitigation and preparedness, Wiinanen said.
“John’s enthusiasm for the Firewise program is infectious. He has been to several meetings already and has studied up on his ‘to-do’ list from the Firewise Committee. John will be collaborating with the U.S. Forest Service and landowners to develop short and long range plans for wildfire mitigation activities in some of Cook County’s most vulnerable areas,” said Wiinanen.
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