Wildfire Arson Charges for Suspect in Eveleth Overlook Blaze

EVELETH, Minn. – A wildfire at the Leonidas Overlook in Eveleth was intentionally set, charges allege.

‘Wildfire arson’ charges were filed Wednesday against 59-year-old Daniel Dean Kruse, accused of starting a Jun. 3rd fire at the Leonidas Overlook in Eveleth.

According to the criminal complaint, Eveleth police received a call around 6:30 a.m. on Tuesday for reports of a “large plume of smoke” coming from the overlook. Flames were also reportedly visible from Hwy 101.

When officers arrived at the scene, they found “a large, mining size, industrial tire, approximately 8-10 feet tall, fully engulfed in flames along with many of the surrounding trees, shrubs and ground cover.” The fire was kept under control by police using extinguishers until the fire department arrived.

Once the fire was fully extinguished, authorities examined the area and reported “burnt leaves littered up to 50 feet from the fire” along with “complete ground scalding.”

The 911 caller provided police with a photo of a suspect seen walking in the area, who an officer recognized as being Kruse, according to the criminal complaint.

Police reportedly made contact with Kruse prior to the fire on Jun. 1, where he was seen wearing the same clothes as the suspect in the photo. Kruse also had contact with police “on June 2, 2025, when officers responded to a report of a smoldering fire at the same site as this fire.”

When Kruse was arrested on Jun. 3, he said he had been in the area of the overlook but denied starting the fire. Kruse is scheduled to be in court on Thursday, and faces a maximum sentence of 5 years in prison.