Structure fire near Gunflint Trail a total loss

The Cook County Sheriff’s Office received multiple reports of black smoke and a possible structure fire along the Gunflint Trail, near Pincushion Mountain, at approximately 4:11 p.m. Monday, Dec. 8.

Firefighters and first responders located the fire on the north side of the Gunflint Trail, at 775 Gunflint Trail. County property records list the 8-acre parcel, which includes a cabin, as owned by Michael Costello.

Crews from the Grand Marais and Maple Hill Fire Departments said the property’s driveway was inaccessible to fire trucks, forcing firefighters to walk up the driveway to assess the scene. Because firefighters were unable to bring equipment closer to the structure, crews determined there was nothing they could do to save the building.

By approximately 4:22 p.m., firefighters reported the structure was a total loss.

Crews remained on scene to monitor the fire and check for potential spread. With snow on the ground, crews reported no risk of the fire moving into surrounding brush.

At approximately 5:56 p.m., firefighters cleared the scene.

Cook County Sheriff Pat Eliasen told WTIP that nobody was in the structure at the time of the fire and there are no injuries.

The cause of the fire remains under investigation.

Kalli Hawkins December 8, 2025