Tag: Emergency Management

Over the past few days, we have received several great questions and would like to share the following.

Please stay tuned here for all the latest updates and information regarding this project. 

What have we completed already:  Over the weekend, we have completed a few system configuration updates and working on many more.  Some of the most important changes include detailing system grouping/types (residential, business, etc.) and have also begun organizing personal accounts into some of those groups/types.  This effort will greatly enhance our community alerting for those most impacted by an incident. 

Why is this important!  There are thousands of individual accounts in the Lake County Emergency Alerts System, and we want to ensure that we have the right information and grouping types to ensure we are prioritizing those most impacted by an event, especially for those life safety incidents.  

What’s Next:  We will continue to review and update record type configurations (residential, business, etc), along with organizing individual accounts.  We will also be updating the portal registration directions to clarify the information we are asking for if not included in a drop box, such as home, business, cabin, property, etc.   The next step/phase after that, we will be asking everyone with an account(s) to log in to review, validate, and update their contact information.   This will include reviewing for duplicate accounts and encouraging separate “static locations” for respective residential and business purposes.  

To register or to review your current profile, you may get there from several directions.
-There is a link on the main website, just above this section,
-There is a link under the Emergency Management Department website page, or
-Cut and paste this link into your browser:  https://member.everbridge.net/453003085619442/login 

I ask those that are newly registering, once logged in to please fill in all informational blocks as there has already have been system updates; or if you already have an account, please log in to review, validate, and update any contact information that has changed, along with the new informational blocks that have been added.  

We have also received several additional questions over the last week, and I would like to take a few moments to answer a few:

1. Lake County is and will continue to reach out to municipalizes ensuring, we as a team, are informing the citizens and businesses within our county, as appropriate, on events impacting life-safety, such as severe weather/storms, power outages, wildfires, and need for evacuations or sheltering.   Lake County will also be kicking off several additional large projects, the County Emergency Operations Plan (EOP) and Community Wildfire Prevention Plan (CWPP) updates and rewrites.  Both of these plans work hand-in-hand and will tie our county-wide communities together for support and response. 
2. Everbridge is the same platform the county has used in the past.  We are updating the system configurations and contact information to better communicate and conduct community outreach during some of the events and incidents listed above.  This is why it is important for all of us to do our part to update and maintain your personal contact information. So, if and when that day occurs, we can send “the right message, to the right people, at the right time”. 

Thank you,
Warren LaPlante
Lake County Emergency Management, Director

Notice of intended use is hereby give by Lake County to use FY2024 – 2025 Title III funds under Public Law 119-58 “Security Rural Schools and Community Self-Determination Act” (reauthorized in 2025) through FY2028 to:

1. carry out activities under the Firewise Communities Program to increase protection of people and property from wildfires
2. reimburse the County for search and rescue and other emergency services performed on federal lands, including firefighting and law enforcement patrols
3. cover training costs and equipment purchase directly related to emergency services described about, and
4. develop and carry out Lake County Community Wildfire Protection Plan.

The intended use of this funding is open for public comment for a period of 45 days from the publication notice and will be on the Lake County Board of Commissioners agenda approximately 2 weeks upon public comment period closeout.  Comments much be submitted in writing and received at the Commissioner’s Office, 616 Third Ave, Two Harbors, MN 55616 or the Emergency Management Office, 601 Third Ave, Two Harbors, MN 55616.  For information, contact Warren LaPlante, Emergency management Director at 218-510-0624 (warren.laplante@co.lake.mn.us) or Matt Huddleston, Lake County Administrator at 218-834-8320 (matthew.huddleston@co.lake.mn.us).  

Lake County will be updating and verifying its emergency alert system in the coming months.  The county uses a platform called Everbridge and its moto is to provide, “the right message, at the right time, to the right people.”  When seconds count, the system delivers real-time alerts through text, phone, and/or email to provide critical information during an emergency.  This information may include:  the location of and respective emergency updates; if needed, evacuation orders and instructions; if determined, sheltering-in-place instructions; and where to stay tuned for additional information.  

The Lake County Emergency Management department will conduct a multi-phase update including system configuration improvements, notification process reviews, participant (residential/business) verification, and annual testing.   Progress updates and instructions will be shared through the county website and official social media.

Enrollment is optional but for public safety, residents and businesses are still strongly encouraged to register or update their information during this period.

Questions can be directed to Warren LaPlante, Emergency Management Director, at warren.laplante@co.lake.mn.us.

The city of Beaver Bay had experienced a water line break on 12 January and has implemented a boil drinking water advisory.

Please visit the Beaver Bay website for the latest advisory information and cancelation:  https://www.beaverbaymn.com/

Lake County Emergency Management

Winter is just around the corner and are you prepared?

November 17th to the 21st is Minnesota Winter Hazard Awareness Week.  This is an opportunity to begin your and your family’s preparation for what will lie ahead: cold temperatures, windy days, icy roads, and slippery sidewalks.

Lake County Emergency Management, in partnership with Lake County’s Public Health, Sheriff’s Office, Highway Department, and the Safety Office, along with the Minnesota Department of Emergency Management and Public Safety have complied timely seasonal information to increase your awareness and preparation.  

To find out more about specific topics, please visit the Lake County Website, Department of Emergency Management:  https://www.co.lake.mn.us/emergency-management

Final Crosby Fire Update (10/15/2025/13:30):

This will be Lake County’s final situation update. 

The Crosby Fire has remained at approximately 300 acres for the last several days and approximately 95% contained.  The fire location is still primarily within the George H. Crosby Manitou State Park.   

MN DNR has determined the cause of the fire to be lighting.  

The Superior Hiking Trail will open on Thursday, 16 Oct, 08:00 am.  

On behalf of the county residents and staff, and our visitors, we would like to thank all the responders and support staff on doing a wonderful job to control the fire, protect our residents and their properties, along with our forests.

Lake County Emergency Management

Crosby Fire Update (10/13/2025/9:00):

The Crosby Fire is approximately 300 acres and approximately 70% contained.  The fire location is still primarily within the George H. Crosby Manitou State Park.   

MN DNR has determined the cause of the fire to be lighting.  

MN DNR remains lead agency with support from the US Forest Service. Lake County Sheriff’s Office and Emergency Management department are monitoring the situation and working with the MN DNR.

Based upon the location of the fire at this time, there are no immediate threats to residents or permanent residential structures.  

We are asking for the public to stay clear of the area allowing our responders a safe environment to suppress the fire and for your personal safety.

Portion of the Superior Hiking Trail from the Caribou Falls State Wayside Rest along Minnesota State Highway 61 to the Lake County Road 7 (Cramer Road) access points remain closed.  The remainder of the state park remains open

Please follow the situation through the Lake County website, both the Lake County and Lake County Sheriff’s Office Facebook sites, MN DNR, and the MNICs press release section.  If the situation escalates, we will send out emergency notifications as appropriate through our county alerts program.  

Lake County Emergency Management 

Photo courtesy of the MN DNR.  

Crosby Fire Update:

The Crosby Fire is approximately 50 acres within the George H. Crosby Manitou State Park. The park is a wilderness area with tough terrain.

MN DNR is lead agency with support from the US Forest Service. Lake County Sheriff’s Office and Emergency Management department are monitoring the situation and working with the MN DNR.

Based upon the location of the fire, there are no immediate threats to residents or permanent residential structures.  

We are asking for the public to stay clear of the area allowing our responders a safe environment to suppress the fire and for your personal safety.

Please follow the situation through the Lake County website, both the Lake County and Lake County Sheriff’s Office Facebook sites, MN DNR, and the MINICs press release section.  If the situation escalates, we will send out emergency notifications as appropriate through our county alerts program.  Lake County Emergency Management

Preparedness Starts at Home.  September is National Preparedness Month and there is no better time than now to prepare yourself and family by taking a few steps to help your family, pets, neighbors, and communities.

The goal for preparedness begins with four key actions:
-Know the different types of emergencies you may encounter and what would be your response
-Make a family plan
-Build an emergency supply kit
-Get involved in your community by taking action to prepare for emergencies

When setting up your plan, consider any unique needs, where you live, where your family spends a lot of time (school, work, etc), do you have pets, routes of possible travel, how to evacuate from your home, do you take special medication, any other special needs.

Your plan should include:
-Family emergency plan(s) that includes important information, such as: contact information, medical providers/doctors, medications, insurance information, location to safeguard this information, communications plan
-Know where you could go before something happens, such as a meeting location(s) depending on the situation, how are you going to communicate with each other on your plan
-Have a home escape plan and meeting location in case of a home fire
-Pets are part of our family, include them in your family plan
–Build a go-kit. You kit should include enough supplies to support your family for several days: water, food, medicine, a comfort toy for your child, radio, flashlight, etc.
-When emergency strikes, have multiple ways to get alerts, include items such as a NOAA radio, National Weather Service (NWS) phone apps, local news links, the Lake County Emergency Alerts program (click here to register).

To assist you on your planning, please visit READY.GOV right now and follow the Lake County Emergency Management website (soon under re-development).

If you have any immediate questions, please contact Warren LaPlante, Lake County Emergency Management Director, email: warren.laplante@co.lake.mn.us