CO Sean Williams (Ely #1) reports: he spent several days assisting with Stewart Trail fire near two harbors. Firecrewworkedaroundtheclocktoget thefireundercontrolandweremaking progress. Residents in the area are reminded to be mindful of fire conditions and check local burning restrictions.
CO Brent Ihnen (Ely #2) spent the week checking anglers and watercraft operators. Officer Ihnen also monitored AIS compliance at area public water accesses. Additional time was spent patrolling for ATV and OHM activity.
CO Thomas Wahlstrom (Grand Marais) monitored anglers on area lakes. With the consistent high winds, most anglers chose to fish from shore. Wahlstrom assisted in instruction at the Cook County firearm safety field day. TheOfficeralsoconductedcommercial inspections.
CO Hudson Ledeen (Hovland) spent timepatrolling angling and trappingactivities. Ledeen also spent time working road closers at the Stewart Trail forest fire. Black bears are out and about, and people are reminded to put away their bird feeders for the season and keep their trash cans inside.
CO Anthony Bermel (Babbitt) worked road closures for the Stewart Trail Fire. Bermel rescued three canoeists that overturned and lost their canoe and gear on Basswood Lake. They survived because they were wearing their life jackets. It’s a great reminder to wear life jackets and be prepared with waterproof matches and communication devices, especially in cold water. Time was spent on interviews and reports for a large ongoing investigation. A litter investigation was also started. A number of moose were observed over the weekend, which was great to see.
CO Megan Franzen (Silver Bay) spent the week primarily monitoring angling activity throughout the area. Warmer weather over the weekend brought better success for anglers, but heavy wind brought rough waters and high fire danger. Time was also spent working security for the Stewart Trail Fire near Two Harbors.
CO Trent Anderson (Tofte) focused on angling enforcement for the week. Time was spent assisting with forest fire suppression efforts. Approximately 40 students were certified in firearms safety as part of Cook County School’s safety class. Extreme caution is urged with fires due to dry and windy conditions.
CO Cassie Block (Two Harbors) Spent time this week checking anglers on area lakes and streams. Block also responded and assisted local agencies with the Stewart Trail fire near the town of Two Harbors. Time was also spent training with K9 Jet.
District 5 - Eveleth area
CO Paul Kennedy (Int’l Falls #1) attended trainingheldatCampRipleyfor a majority of the week. He responded and assisted at several fires reported throughouttheareaalongwithhelping localagenciesonvariouscalls.Kennedy took reports of potential wetland violations, nuisancebeavercomplaints,and illegal dumping.
CO John Slatinski IV (Ray) Warmer temperatures have brought people outdoors, eager for summer activities. The windshavereducedboatingactivityon area waterways. The spring trapping season has come to a close with beaver activity on the rise. Caution on area roads and trails is advised as washouts have been noted, with significant gullies left in their wake. ATV use has increased as well with contacts made for illegal operation and failing to use equipment properly. Regulation booklets are a good source of information.
CO Troy Fondie (Orr) reports angling and boating was minimal over the week as strong winds kept most off the lake. Fishing success remains poor and activity levels down considerably from previous years. Area forest roads were checked and public access sites visited. Equipment work continues.
CO Sean Cannon (Cook) Spent time this week checking anglers when weather would cooperate, as the strong winds off and on this week kept a number of people from venturing out. Time was also spent responding to wildfires, assisting St Louis County on calls, and responding to wildlife calls.
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CO reports
CO Aaron Larson (Tower) worked primarily angling activity in his station. He also spent time working on an ongoing spruce top theft case. Larson assisted with a busy fire day on Friday with many fires around the area popping up. He primarily helped with the fire near Gilbert. He also spent time assisting other agencies.
CO Marc Johnson (Hibbing) primarily worked ATV and angling activity. Time was also spent attending the final fur registration date of the trapping seasonandrespondingtothemanyfires across the region last week. Be sure to alwayscheckfireconditionsandrestrictions prior to any amount of burning.
COShaneZavodnik(Virginia)Time was spent at Camp Ripley completing various refresher training exercises over the week. He also attended Friday’s Law EnforcementMemorialas anhonor guard member. Dry conditions around the region made way for nearly a dozen new fires over the week. Luckily, most have been suppressed.
CO Duke Broughten (Aurora) spent the week monitoring fishing, boating, and ATV activity. Anglers continued to report limited success. Dry weather has created high wildfire conditions. CO Broughten assisted with awildfire near Gilbert.COBroughtenalsofieldedcalls regarding nuisance animals, ATV registration and youth ATV regulations.
District 7 - Grand Rapids area CO Vinny Brown (Northome) took injured wildlife related calls, checked on trapping activity, and patrolled state forests. Questions related to otter trapping and nuisance bears were answered. Follow up with investigations was conducted.
COJaysonHansen(Bigfork)Worked ATV, small game, boating, and fishing activities. He patrolled area trails and campgrounds. Numerous game and fish questions were answered. He also responded to wildlife-related complaints.
CO Mike Fairbanks (Deer River) checked anglers, monitored OHV activity, assisted with MRT training and responded to nuisance/injured animal complaints this week. Enforcement action was taken for youth without helmets,noheadlightsilluminatingand possession of illegal length fish.
