Preparations are already underway for a potentially early and serious wildfire season in Minnesota. The Superior National Forest may be among the regions particularly vulnerable and the agency will be applying for new federal funds to help prevent and reduce the potential for wildfires. The combination of no snow, warm temperatures and dry ground present a danger. “All the way…
The spring fire danger is highest during the time between the snow melting and vegetation springing up in Wisconsin and Minnesota. With the lack of snow this past winter, the risk for wildfires is higher this spring. As of Monday morning, 189 wildfires have been reported in Wisconsin in 2024, burning a little over 350 acres. According to the Wisconsin…
DULUTH, Minn. — FOX 21 learned Thursday evening that the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency is investigating a significant gasoline leak at a Duluth gas station. The spill occurred Wednesday at the Short Stop at 5402 E. Superior Street in Duluth. “There was a 1,400 gallon release reported by C & B Distributing from one of their fuel pumps to soil,”…
MOOSE LAKE, Minn. — The Moose Lake Carlton County Airport is making plans to go green. The idea is to build a solar farm with the unused land at the airport. Recently the Carlton County Board voted to enter lease negotiations with Origis Energy. The company thinks the solar installation can be a good fit for Carlton County to gain…
The idea was to rescue some wild animals–maybe a bobcat or two. Twenty-five years later, it covers acres and acres and has big cats from around the world. Lions, tigers and more now live near Sandstone, Minnesota. Although they do roam within fences, the goal of all the space and open air at the Wildcat Sanctuary is to provide the…
SUPERIOR, Wis. — Twin Ports community members are learning all about the St. Louis River and its importance to our area. The Lake Superior National Estuarine Research Reserve or Lake Superior Reserve is hosting the 14th Annual St. Louis River Summit this week. The 3-day event is taking place at UWS and is the biggest year yet bringing people together…
DOUGLAS COUNTY, Wis. — In Douglas County, the League of Women Voters is opposing a proposed natural gas electric plant in Superior. The league says the project would have negative health effects on several groups including children, and the chronically ill. The county chapter of the league says NTEC would contribute to climate change and negatively affect the environment. The…
CLOQUET, Minn. — Most years, the Northland will start waking up from its winter slumber during the latter part of March and early April. But this year, after an anything but typical winter, we may be seeing some wildlife such as bears venture out earlier than normal. “Bears could be coming out at any time. Particularly the adult males or…
DULUTH, Minn. — It’s National Invasive Species Awareness Week and the Great Lakes Aquarium is educating the public all about them. When invasive species are in a spot they don’t belong in and do not have a natural predator to keep them in check they can spread. That’s why the aquarium currently has an exhibit up to show how an…
Minnesota’s Superior National Forest has a new number two. Drew Stroberg has been named the permanent Deputy Forest Supervisor. He was most recently the district ranger at California’s Klamath National Forest. After graduating from Colorado State University, he has had several positions with the Forest Service. He said working as a line officer has allowed him to have the most…
High flood waters caused several motorists to become stuck on Tuesday, Feb. 20, 2018, in Flint, Mich. High water from storm flooding closed roads in Michigan. (Bronte Wittpenn/The Flint Journal-MLive.com via AP) Talk about preparing for a natural disaster can often be just that–talk. The Northland does not have hurricanes, but it does have its share of huge rainstorms, big…
“Not only are you able to actually see nature. There’s a lot of travels I do, and I don’t see any animals, hardly any birds, and to be able to have this in our backyard is awesome,” said local photographer, Amber Nichols. “There are people that come here from all over the world, to see owls in particular, and the…
Many of us have kicked around in the garage and found that old garden hose that isn’t any good anymore. But what if you’re in the local fire station and it’s fire hose you’re talking about? Well, you take it to the zoo–of course! At least that’s what Duluth firefighters were doing Wednesday. Unique items and play toys–often known in…
PROCTOR, Minn. — Atlas Games out of Proctor has been creating and publishing board and card games since the 90s. And within the past couple of years, the company has evolved to make games out of plastic waste. “You don’t realize it, that a lot of plastic you have that you think you are recycling properly, it just goes through…
DULUTH, Minn. — A winter with warm temperatures and minimal snowfall has significant impacts on the environment. We talked to a specialist about how ice and water are affected during mild winters. UMD Professor Jay Austin works at the Large Lake Observatory at the college, he says the northland’s unusually warm temperatures can result in environmental and economic delays. Austin…
DULUTH, Minn. — Minnesota Power says it is adding six new electric vehicles to its fleet as part of its commitment to the climate. Minnesota Power is in the early stages of switching a large portion of its current fleet to electric vehicles. Five electric Chevrolet Silverado pickups and an electric Volkswagen were shown as part of the fleet Friday….
Even with the mild winter, concern over grass and forest fires might seem a ways off. But that is not delaying the Minnesota DNR in looking for additional wildfire fighters. The agency says it is looking to fill two different kinds of positions. One is Smokechasers. No experience is needed and those hired would be trained. The schedules are flexible,…
(AP) — A stretch of unusually warm weather has forced federal officials to suspend researchers’ annual wolf-moose count in Isle Royale National Park for the first time in more than six decades. Isle Royale is a 134,000-acre (54,200-hectare) island situated in far western Lake Superior between Grand Marais, Minnesota, and Thunder Bay, Canada. The park is a wildlife biologist’s dream…
The mild winter we’re having has been a mixed bag for a certain group of outdoor enthusiasts. Between Duluth and the Iron Range is the Sax-Zim Bog. It’s a popular hangout for both humans and critters that like the woods, water and sky. Perhaps best-known for its owls, the bog is actually home to a cross section of bird life….
DULUTH, Minn. — Jonathan Thornton has been fascinated by the electric vehicle industry for many years. He is a recent owner of an electric vehicle buying his sedan just a few years ago. Thornton says his parent’s sensibility around environmental issues provided the foundation for his interest in getting his first electric car. And when his kids bought one, he…
DULUTH, Minn. — Food waste is about 20% of the garbage we throw away, according to the Western Lake Superior Sanitary District. That’s why the organization is hoping to keep food waste out of the landfill and use it for its benefits. WLSSD says when food scraps are put in the landfill it can create a greenhouse gas so, keeping…
DULUTH, Minn. — The warm, low snow fall winter can impact a plants life cycle and health. One college professor is looking at what these affects are. Jessica Savage works for the Department of Biology at UMD and studies plants for a living. She says outside plants are used to having winter so, when they don’t get the colder temps,…
People interested in the new natural gas-powered electric plant being planned in Superior had a couple of chances to get their questions answered Tuesday. Two open houses were put on in Superior for the Nemadji Trail Energy Center. At mid-day and late afternoon sessions, representatives were available to answer questions, and citizens could learn more about the plant. Although the…
LITTLE FALLS, Minn. — The 148th Fighter Wing is hosting airmen from across the U.S. for a special training at Camp Ripley this week. The training is all about teaching skills needed for operating in extreme cold weather. The first day pictured here, showcases the airmen doing a 7-mile ruck march, building fire with matches and materials found in nature…
TWO HARBORS, Minn. — With the lack of snow up until recently this winter, visitors at Gooseberry Falls State Park have had the opportunity to see things they otherwise would not have seen. A park naturalist took Fox 21 on a hike to check out one of the park’s most misjudged critters. Categories: Environment, Great Outdoors, Minnesota, News, News –…
SUPERIOR, Wis. – Organized labor came together inside Superior City Hall Tuesday to debunk what they call false information from Mayor Jim Paine and some city councilors involving the proposed Nemadji Trail Energy Center (NTEC). Members of the Northern Wisconsin Buildings Trades took to the podium for a press conference Tuesday night. They’re calling on the community to educate themselves…
SUPERIOR, Wis. – Billboards and yard signs are beginning to pop up in Superior in support of building the Nemadji Trail Energy Center (NTEC). This comes as Mayor Jim Paine says he’s continuing to do whatever he can to derail the natural gas power plant for good. Mayor Paine is banking on Wisconsin state regulators to change their approval of…
The long wait for winter is beneficial for some wildlife, but potentially deadly for others. Ironically, the lack of snow actually makes life more challenging for some animals. An example of that is a snowshoe hare that was hiding under some brush and branches at Gooseberry Falls State Park on Wednesday. The hare was spotted by park interpreter and naturalist…
HAYWARD, Wis. – The 2024 American Birkebeiner is expected to attract 14,000 to as many as 15,000 skiers for the race’s 50th anniversary. Organizers say, the lack of snow isn’t going to ruin the fun. “It’s non-negotiable. We will be doing something in Hayward during Birkie week,” said Blair Flickinger, marketing director for the race. “I would say we are…
A big announcement was made Tuesday night involving the 40th annual John Beargrease Sled Dog Marathon. Officials told FOX 21 the race will not go on as planned because of a serious lack of snow. The Beargrease board members voted on the decision late Tuesday to put on the 40th annual Beargrease on Jan. 26, 2025. The Beargrease was originally…
The cautionary tone about being careful on lake and river ice was echoed this week as outdoor enthusiasts get antsy. At Duluth’s Marine General, this month they had customers torn between both ice and open-water fishing. Some anglers were rigging up their boats and heading out on the lake. But with the weather now turning back to a little bit…
While the weather has forced many businesses to adjust, others keep on trucking. Or maybe swimming? The Great Lakes Aquarium is finishing the year in record-breaking fashion. In fact, they’ve broken their attendance record for the second year in a row. In 2023 they had ten thousand more visitors than last year—hitting the 210,000 mark. Aquarium leaders say the holiday…
MINNESOTA — The week between Christmas and New Year’s has become a popular time for ice fishing, according to the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources but that doesn’t mean ice conditions are safe. The DNR and county sheriffs are warning Minnesotans of poor ice conditions across the state. The recent rain, wind, and unseasonably warm weather has caused ice to…
The rain has forced a change in plans for Chester Bowl in Duluth. The ski hill was going to start its annual Holiday Ski and Snowboard lessons Tuesday. But the endless rain has changed that, and the hill was closed. Chester Bowl says it is disappointed to be closing, but felt that the best chance to preserve the snow they…
DULUTH, Minn. — It is officially treecycling time for the Western Lake Superior Sanitary District as sites are now open to drop your tree off. Holiday trees like yard and garden waste are illegal to put into the trash, according to WLSSD. They are a big resource the company can use and save landfill space. All of the trees collected…
DULUTH, Minn. — It is normal to have a lot of waste over the holidays, but the Western Lake Superior Sanitary District says a lot of it can be recycled. The ways to reduce waste include gift wrapping a present in a cloth, scarf, or tote. Recycling traditional gift wrap without glitter or foil. Any stretchy plastics that gifts arrive…
The Environmental Protection Agency is investing $22 million to clean up a polluted section of the St. Louis River in Carlton. The funding will tackle 330 acres of contaminated sediment in the Thomson Reservoir, according to the EPA. A thin layer of activated carbon pellets will be placed over the sediment. Officials say the carbon rapidly binds to the contaminants,…
DULUTH, Minn. — Snowmaking season began at Spirit Mountain Tuesday evening. This comes after frustrations from staff because of the unseasonably warm weather for much of November. Usually the ski hill opens on Black Friday, but that won’t be happening this season. None the less, opening day will arrive soon, as temperatures are forecast to continue to be well below…
MADISON, Wis. (AP) — A lack of snow and warm temperatures that suppressed deer movement led to a lackluster opening weekend of Wisconsin’s nine-day gun season, with hunters killing thousands fewer deer than last year. The state Department of Natural Resources released preliminary data Tuesday that showed hunters registered 92,050 deer compared with 103,623 deer last year. That’s a 16%…
As the weekend approached, the winds changed and the temperatures dropped just in time for the end of Minnesota’s firearms deer season, and the opening of the Wisconsin firearms season. In the Badger state’s Douglas County, deer stands have been checked out to make sure they’re still safe and make any needed repairs. Woods that have been quiet will soon…
SUPERIOR, Wis. – If Superior Mayor Jim Paine has it his way, Minnesota Power and its partners will not be allowed to build a natural gas plant (Nemadji Trail Energy Center) near the Enbridge Energy Terminal and Cenovus Energy. “All this project will do is raise our utility rates, pollute our city, and desecrate a cemetery. I don’t know who…
Duluth, Minn. — A backpacker from Duluth spoke to students in Duluth today about how they can impact the environment. Emily Ford is passionate about introducing people to the outdoors in safe and healthy ways. She was the first woman to thru-hike Wisconsin’s 1,200-mile Ice Age Scenic Trail in winter.Youth in Action, a group focused on the positive change young people…
ITASCA COUNTY, Minn. — The invasive water species known as Zebra Mussels have recently been identified in three Itasca County lakes. The mussels were found on a pontoon boat and other equipment being removed for the season in Jessie, Turtle, and Trout lakes. The invasive species were first discovered in the Great Lakes in 1988 and have spread from there….
MINNESOTA — This Saturday is the Minnesota Firearms Deer Hunting Season Opener. Here in Northeast Minnesota, hunters can expect deer populations to be down after a harsh winter last year, making deer harder to find. For those of you planning to head out this weekend, the DNR suggests you have a thorough plan in place, not only where you will…
DULUTH, Minn. — Next summer, there will be a new 92-acre restored and permanently protected riverfront green space where the US Steel plant once stood in West Duluth. After more than three years of remediation efforts at the site on the St. Louis River. the clean-up is nearly finished Wednesday morning representatives of the city, US Steel, and the EPA…
DULUTH, Minn. — Climate change was the topic of a conference at UMD on Monday. Everyone from environmental activists to students came together to discuss how the change will affect our area. They also discussed other issues that come from climate change and what the community can do. Jonna Korpi from Duluth is the director of sustainability office at UMD….
Minnesota Power is helping the Duluth community celebrate Energy Awareness Month. They put on their annual Energy Awareness Expo at Salvation Army earlier today. It featured community groups and free energy-saving kits. The event aimed to educate people about energy assistance and provide resources for home efficiency, safe housing, and other affordability programs. As the winter months approach, Minnesota Power…
DULUTH, Minn. — One of Duluth’s most popular destinations is preparing for the cold months ahead. The City of Duluth and Lake Superior Rose Society hosts the annual Tipping of the Roses events. Roses in the Rose Garden at Leif Erikson Park go through the process to protect roses for winter. That involves cutting the flowers down, tying them up,…
DULUTH, Minn. — A historic halt in seaway operations has sent a ripple effect throughout the system, including the Duluth-Superior Port. “Definitely a cascading series of effects throughout the Great Lakes St. Lawrence Seaway system. It’s a system that it prides itself on reliability. And right now that reliability is being impaired by this unfortunate issue,” said Jayson Hron, communications…
DULUTH, Minn. — Harbor Drive behind the DECC is temporarily closing for the next 12 months. It’s all part of the seawall-waterfront reconstruction project. Crews will work through the winter to build the new seawall. When all is said and done in early 2025, the public space between the wall and the DECC will be transformed into a new plaza…
