Firefighting Plane Apparently Shot at in Northern Minnesota

Two Harbors, MN (MinnesotaNow) - Authorities in northeastern Minnesota are reporting that an airplane involved in firefighting efforts was apparently shot at on Friday

Apparent Damage From Bullet Discovered on Aircraft

According to a statement from the St. Louis County Sheriff’s Office, damage from what appears to have been a bullet was found on one of the aircraft when it returned to the Hibbing Airport. The statement says it is suspected that the single-engine Air Tractor was struck by a bullet after scooping water from Kjostad Lake near the town of Orr around 7 p.m.

The plane landed safely and there were no injuries.

It was one of two fire suppression aircraft operating under contract for the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources that were dispatched to battle a wildfire burning in Portage Township, about 15 miles north of Orr.

Cooler Weather Offers Hope to Firefighters

As of Saturday night, the St. Louis County Sheriff reported there were nearly a dozen wildfires burning in the county, but firefighters were hopeful because cooler temperatures and rain were forecast for the area today.

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Highway 61 Closure Continues Near Two Harbors

In neighboring Lake County, the Stewart Trail Fire along the North Shore of Lake Superior continues to burn, but its footprint has shrunk slightly and the Minnesota Interagency Fire Center is reporting that it is now 30% contained. The size of the wildfire is now estimated at about 350 acres.

An evacuation zone remains in effect in areas threatened by the fire just north of Two Harbors, and a 6-mile stretch of Highway 61 remains closed to traffic due to the wildfire.