After 24 years of service, Brian Olsen retires from Maple Hill Fire Department

Nearly 30 years ago, after losing his home in a devastating fire, Brian Olsen decided to join the Maple Hill Volunteer Fire Department, a decision rooted in his firsthand loss and a desire to help others avoid a similar fate.

The blaze destroyed everything he owned, the family photos, cherished keepsakes, and sentimental items.

Olsen said the main reason he became a firefighter was to “help in any way, not to let this happen to somebody else.”

For the past 24 years, he has carried that thought with him on every single fire call. Most times, he said, by the time firefighters arrive, a home or building might be too far gone, but “If there’s anything that we can do to try and save something, that could mean something to somebody. That’s what my objective was.”

After 24 years with the Maple Hill Fire Department, 13 of those serving as Assistant Chief, Olsen recently retired.

He said he has a lot of pride and appreciation for serving on the fire department for so long, but at 65 years old, he knew it was time to step away.

“It’s been bittersweet,” Olsen said. “I didn’t necessarily want to as much as I knew it was time.”

Brian Olsen with Maple Hill Volunteer Fire Department in December 2025 | Photo by Maple Hill Fire Department

For the past two decades, Olsen has responded to countless home and structure fires in Grand Marais and assisted with notable wildfires in Cook County.

While many fire calls have stuck with him throughout the years, two in particular stand out.

The first is responding to the Ham Lake fire in 2007.

“It was just so extreme and so hot that you can’t even imagine it,” Olsen said. He recalls assisting with the fire response and visiting the area the day after most of the homes had been destroyed. The wildfire had burned so intensely, he said, that there was little trace of foundations, steel, or even glass.

“You never really see that side of it until you actually see a place that burns from a forest fire,” he said.

The second fire that has stuck with Olsen is the Lutsen Resort fire in February 2024.

Given its historical significance and what it meant to so many people, Olsen said it was “very sad,” given all the fond memories so many had there.

Reflecting on his 24 years with the fire department, Olsen said he is proud to have been part of the department and to have served alongside the volunteer firefighters, including Fire Chief Kent Anderson.

“It made me proud to know that they trusted me to be the assistant chief,” Olsen said. “And all the firefighters, they’re all really, really good people, and they’re very capable. I’m so fortunate.”

While he has stepped away from responding to active fires, Olsen said the community will still see him at the Maple Hill Fire Department annual meeting and riding on the fire truck during summer parades.

WTIP’s Kalli Hawkins spoke with Brian Olsen, who recently retired after 24 years serving on the Maple Hill Volunteer Fire Department. Audio is below.

Kalli Hawkins March 4, 2026