Tuesday, July 21, 2026. An emergency meeting was held during a regularly scheduled meeting of the Committee of the Whole, Lake County Board of Commissioners at 6:00 PM on Tuesday, July 21, 2026, at the Toimi School Community Center (Toimi Schoolhouse), 6486 Murphy Lake Road, Brimson, Minnesota, on the Superior National Forest Scenic Byway (Foresty Highway 11) at its intersection with County Road 151. Unless otherwise stated, all actions have been approved by unanimous yea vote. Lake County Board members present at the Toimi School Community Center: District 1 Commissioner Joe Baltich, District 3 Commissioner Richard “Rick” C. Hogenson, and District 5 Commissioner Rich Sve. County Board members absent: District 2 Commissioner Derrick “Rick” L. Goutermont and District 4 Commissioner Jeremy M. Hurd. Also present: Lake County Administrator Matthew Huddleston.
Lake County Board Chairperson Rich Sve called the Emergency Meeting to order at 6:22 PM. Lake County Administrator Matthew Huddleston provided an overview of a draft emergency declaration and state of local disaster. The draft resolution was prepared in coordination with Lake County Emergency Manager Warren LaPlante. The purpose of the emergency meeting is to ratify the Local Emergency Declaration and State of Local Disaster for Lake County for losses and damages that have occurred and are occuring as a result of wildfires ignited by lighning strikes in the Superior National Forest (SNF), Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness (BWCAW), affecting neighboring jurisdictions, including Lake County, Minnesota. Lake County has sustained severe losses brought as a result of the wildfires. These conditions began on July 6, 2026, and are continuing. A state of local emergency and state of local disaster exists within Lake County, Minnesota.
Beginning on July 6, 2026, a widespread lightning event with little accompanying precipitation ignited multiple wildfires within the Superior National Forest (SNF), the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness (BWCAW), and surrounding areas, resulting in active wildfires affecting Lake County and neighboring jurisdictions. Lake County is a public entity within the State of Minnesota. Lake County is experiencing emergency conditions resulting from these wildfires, including threats to public infrastructure, transportation systems, natural resources, and communities, with damage assessments ongoing to determine the extent of impacts and any losses to public or private property.
Firefighting resources from local, state, federal, tribal, and cooperating agencies are engaged in wildfire suppression activities on multiple incidents throughout the region, while warm, dry, and windy conditions continue to support fire growth and additional wildfire starts. Wildfire smoke has created unhealthy air quality conditions throughout Lake County, necessitating ongoing public health messaging and protective measures related to elevated Air Quality Index (AQI) levels.
MOTION GOUTERMONT, SECOND HOGENSON: 01 – Ratify the Lake County Emergency Declaration, Resolution No. 26072101, declaring a “State of Local Emergency” and declaring a “State of Local Disaster” due to vast wildfire damage and public resources consumed in the response to wildfires starting July 6, 2026. Absent: Goutermont, Hurd.
Board Chairperson Rich Sve adjourned the Emergency Meeting was at 6:24 PM.
ATTEST:
Matthew Huddleston
County Administrator / Acting Clerk of the
Board
Rich Sve, Board Chairperson
Lake County Board of Commissioners
Northshore Journal: August 7, 2026
