Emergencies
 
 

smoky conditions water feature

July 2026 Lightning Wildfires

Numerous wildfires continue to burn in northern St. Louis County. The Sheriff's Office and Emergency Management division are assisting the U.S. Forest Service, MN Department of Natural Resources, and numerous local fire departments in responding to these fires. The Ready, Set, Go Evacuation map is activated and anyone in affected areas should be aware and ready to follow instructions as needed.

Air quality is a concern throughout the region due to the wildfire smoke. St. Louis County Public Health is coordinating with area partners to provide safe places for people needing to evacuate and/or find indoor public locations with good air quality.

St. Louis County Evacuation Zone Map

Air Quality Info & Relief Sites

Evacuation Instructions

 

Headlines

Body recovered from the St. Louis River Read more

Body recovered from the St. Louis River

On September 5th, 2026 at about 0330 Hrs., law enforcement was called to a report of an unoccupied vehicle on the Blatnik bridge, near the center span. A Minnesota State Trooper arrived on scene and was able to spot a body in the water beneath the bridge. St. Louis County Sheriff's Deputies responded, along with Duluth Fire, the Coast Guard and the St. Louis County Rescue Squad. The body was recovered from the water and the individual was identified as a 34 year old Duluth man. The investigation is ongoing and no additional information can be released at this time.

Man accidentally shoots self in Voyageurs National Park Read more

Man accidentally shoots self in Voyageurs National Park

A 40-year-old Iowa man accidentally shot himself in the lower leg while he was unloading his handgun in his tent. The man was camping with friends on Namakan Lake. After the incident, his friends assisted him to the visitor's center, where they acquired enough cell service to call 911. 

Drowning on Ely Lake- Fayal Township Read more

Drowning on Ely Lake- Fayal Township

On Tuesday, September 1st, 2026, at approximately 7:10 P.M. St. Louis County Sheriff's Deputies, along with Officers from the Eveleth Police Department were notified of a possible drowning on Ely Lake, in Fayal Township, approximately 5 miles south of Eveleth, MN. 

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Emergency Management 

The role of emergency management is to protect lives, property, and environment from natural and/or human-made disasters through preparation, mitigation, response and recovery and to maximize the protection and promotion of public safety, health and welfare during large-scale emergencies. Emergency Management is a division of St. Louis County run out of the Sheriff office.
 

Public Health Emergency Preparedness 

Emergency Preparedness is a unit based out of the department of Public Health responsible for mass care during emergencies in the county. In a public health emergency, we partner with staff from St. Louis County Emergency Management. Together, we work on coordinating temporary shelter locations, organizing and conducting the mass dispensing of vaccines or medicines to the community, sharing information, and providing other public health resources.

Contacts

In emergency or to file a report, call or text 911.

Sheriff's Office Emergency Management Division 218-625-3960

Scott Lesnau, Public Health Emergency Preparedness Coordinator Email

Grace Elmudesi, Public Health Emergency Preparedness Planner Email