First responders using WE Fest grounds in Detroit Lakes for drone training

West Central EMS is hosting a regional done training for emergency medical services, fire departments and law enforcement agencies. The training is happening all day at the Soo Pass Ranch near Detroit Lakes on Wednesday, May 22. The agencies will learn best practices of drone operations, latest drone technologies and complete several training stations. They’ll practice a missing person search, HAZMAT training, crash scene reconstruction, obstacle courses and an article search. Mark Bjerke with WE Fest Country Music Festival says they’re excited to help and be part of such important work for area first responders. “Amazing things are being done with drones from finding missing persons to clearing buildings and more,” Bjerke said.
KVLY-TV NBC 11 Fargo

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