06/08/2026
Thanks to the generosity of our community, wildfire preparedness efforts in Lake County are getting a boost. In 2025, after wildfires broke out in northern Minnesota, the donations that poured in exceeded the wildfire relief needs of individuals and families in Lake County. 𝐔𝐬𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐭𝐡𝐞𝐬𝐞 𝐞𝐱𝐜𝐞𝐬𝐬 𝐟𝐮𝐧𝐝𝐬, 𝐰𝐞 𝐫𝐞𝐜𝐞𝐧𝐭𝐥𝐲 𝐚𝐰𝐚𝐫𝐝𝐞𝐝 $𝟏𝟎,𝟎𝟎𝟎 𝐞𝐚𝐜𝐡 𝐭𝐨 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐅𝐢𝐧𝐥𝐚𝐧𝐝, 𝐒𝐢𝐥𝐯𝐞𝐫 𝐁𝐚𝐲, 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐓𝐰𝐨 𝐇𝐚𝐫𝐛𝐨𝐫𝐬 𝐅𝐢𝐫𝐞 𝐃𝐞𝐩𝐚𝐫𝐭𝐦𝐞𝐧𝐭𝐬 𝐭𝐨 𝐡𝐞𝐥𝐩 𝐬𝐭𝐫𝐞𝐧𝐠𝐭𝐡𝐞𝐧 𝐭𝐡𝐞𝐢𝐫 𝐰𝐢𝐥𝐝𝐟𝐢𝐫𝐞 𝐫𝐞𝐬𝐩𝐨𝐧𝐬𝐞 𝐜𝐚𝐩𝐚𝐛𝐢𝐥𝐢𝐭𝐢𝐞𝐬.
The funding will support critical wildfire equipment, including wildfire turnout gear, wildfire goggles, and portable water pumps. These investments will improve firefighter safety, emergency readiness, and the ability of local departments to respond quickly and effectively.
While presenting these funds, Sara (and some of our youngest United Way ambassadors) had the opportunity to thank local firefighters and support businesses that have helped make recovery efforts possible, including the Rustic Inn Cafe and Gifts.
As wildfires become more common in our region, being prepared with the right equipment helps protect lives, property, and natural resources. For some departments, this funding will accelerate wildfire preparedness efforts by years.
𝐖𝐢𝐥𝐝𝐟𝐢𝐫𝐞 𝐫𝐞𝐥𝐢𝐞𝐟 𝐚𝐬𝐬𝐢𝐬𝐭𝐚𝐧𝐜𝐞 𝐚𝐩𝐩𝐥𝐢𝐜𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧𝐬 𝐚𝐫𝐞 𝐬𝐭𝐢𝐥𝐥 𝐨𝐩𝐞𝐧 𝐭𝐡𝐫𝐨𝐮𝐠𝐡 𝐉𝐮𝐧𝐞 𝟑𝟎 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐢𝐧𝐝𝐢𝐯𝐢𝐝𝐮𝐚𝐥𝐬 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐟𝐚𝐦𝐢𝐥𝐢𝐞𝐬 𝐢𝐦𝐩𝐚𝐜𝐭𝐞𝐝 𝐛𝐲 𝐫𝐞𝐜𝐞𝐧𝐭 𝐟𝐢𝐫𝐞𝐬. Learn more or apply for assistance at hlunitedway.org/resources/wildfire-resources/
Finland Fire Department Silver Bay Fire Department Two Harbors Fire Department
