Aaron Kania

ELY- As recent times have demonstrated, climate change is here, noted Barb Jones as she introduced a series of speakers on emergency management to more than 70 people who gathered at the Ely Senior Center on Monday. Jones heads the Ely Climate Group and she said people need to be prepared for the implications of the warming world. “The hottest ten years on record for the world’s average temperature all happened in the last ten years,” she said. “The hottest year was 2024 and the second hottest year was 2023. What do you think we’re going to get in 2025?” she asked.
Yet Monday’s event wasn’t about why the climate is changing or how to slow the changes. “It’s about how to deal with it,” Jones said.
With that in mind, several local experts on emergency management came to share their expertise on preparing for wildfires. That included U.S. Forest Service Ranger Aaron Kania, Ely Emergency Manager Brad Roy, Firewise Coordinator Gloria Erickson, and Eagles Nest Director of Emergency Management Mike Ostlund.
There is a lot you can do to be prepared for wildfires. First, recognize that if you live in northern Minnesota, you’re automatically at risk for wildfires. They happen here and are the natural disaster you are most likely to encounter.
Kania shared how the Forest Service prepares daily and how Smokey Bear, on the familiar signs posted at the Tower DNR building and at the Hwy. 169 and Bear Head State Park Road intersection, determines the fire danger level each day. Kania and Forest Service firefighters meet daily in the “ops room” to evaluate weather conditions, wind, dryness and fuels. That determination is shared with Smokey Bear and affects other decisions they make in the community. If fire danger is extreme, the Forest Service will have planes and helicopters ready to go.
Kania offered his thanks to all the members of the community who have educated themselves on wildfires and make good decisions to be fire wise, keeping their properties clear of fuels and putting out their campfires, “Because you’re here, all of our jobs are easier.”
“Knowing what to do is very important,” said Roy. “Disasters can strike at any time and being prepared can save your life.”
Roy said to sign up for Northland Alerts and tell your friends and neighbors to sign up too. To sign up, go to ely.mn.us/emergency and click on Northland Alerts. You do not have to live in Ely to benefit from this service— it’s for anyone residing in St. Louis County and is operated by the county along with several partner cities including Ely. Northland Alerts will only notify you in cases of real emergencies and does not charge any fees.
He also said that Ely residents should know their evacuation zone. From the same city of Ely website, click on City of Ely Evacuation Mapping to find your evacuation zone.
Roy told the audience about “Ready, Set, Go,” an initiative from St. Louis County, also linked on Ely’s emergency preparedness website. Being “Ready” means being ready for potential evacuation. You should make sure your home is defensible, have an evacuation plan and make sure everyone in your household knows it, make a go-bag, a video of home inventory, and pay attention to emergency updates on radio, social media or local news outlets. “Set” means you may be evacuated, and should be prepared to leave at a moment’s notice. Do final fireproofing of your house, turn off gas, remove flammable curtains and move flammable furniture to the center of the room. Check in with your neighbors and be sure they are ready, too. Start packing your vehicle and back into your driveway for seamless evacuation. Don’t forget people and pets, pictures and irreplaceable memorabilia, electronics, important documents, medication and money. “Go” means to evacuate immediately. Make sure all your family members are accounted for. Turn exterior lights on and close all your windows and doors but leave them unlocked so firefighters can check to make sure your home is empty.
Erickson said property-owners should ensure their “fire number” sign is highly visible, clear of vegetation, reflective on both sides, perpendicular to the road and at least four feet above the ground. If you need a new sign, she said, one can be purchased from St. Louis County.
Make sure your driveway is spacious and welcoming to fire trucks. It should be clear of brush, fourteen feet wide and fourteen feet tall. If you can, have a straight driveway, with firm surface materials and a turnaround area with an at least 30-foot radius.
Do as much as you can to keep the area around your home defensible and clear of fuels and don’t forget to clean your gutters. Burning leaves and pine needles in gutters is the most common way a wildfire can ignite a residence. For more detailed information on how to create defensible space, go to firewise.org.