Structure fire in Tofte a total loss

At 2:34 p.m., the Cook County Sheriff’s Office was notified of a structure fire at 6543 W. Hwy 61 near Tofte.

The structure’s location is immediately west of Aspen Ridge Rd, between the Sawbill Trail and Onion River Rd on the west end of Cook County. According to Cook County property record data, the 7-acre property is owned by Mitchell Maginnis.

Photo of the fire | Contributed by Bill Lane

First responders, including the Sheriff’s Office, Cook County Ambulance, Lutsen Fire Department, Tofte Fire Department, and Schroeder Fire Department, responded to the scene.

At 2:40 p.m., a first responder reported seeing black smoke as they approached the scene. Shortly thereafter, a Cook County deputy confirmed it was a structure fire.

Within 12 minutes of arriving at the scene, the sheriff’s office paged the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources Forestry and Wildfire personnel as the fire had spread from the structure to the surrounding grass. First responders stated they were concerned about a potential wildfire.

At 2:53 p.m., the structure was reported as a total loss.

By 3:12 p.m., the first responders had been able to control and suppress the grass fire.

As of 3:38 p.m. first responders are still on scene. It is unclear where the structure was a house, warehouse, or other type of building.

At 4:19 p.m. first responders notified dispatch that they were waiting on a mini excavator to assist in the mop-up of the fire.

Around 5 p.m., incident command began releasing emergency responders.

The cause of the fire is currently under investigation.

WTIP will continue to provide updates as they are available.

Kalli Hawkins March 20, 2025