EVELETH (trfnews.i234.me) – A 59-year-old man from Eveleth, Minnesota, is facing serious accusations after allegedly igniting a small wildfire in the Iron Range region.
Daniel Dean Kruse made his first court appearance this morning following his arrest last week. According to law enforcement, officers responded to a blaze at the Leonidas Overlook on Tuesday, where they discovered 18 large industrial tires, each 8 to 10 feet tall, burning. The fire had already spread to nearby shrubs, trees, and surrounding brush, producing heavy smoke.
Thanks to a quick-thinking witness who snapped a photo of the suspect, authorities were able to identify and later locate Kruse in Eveleth. He was arrested without incident.
The incident raised concerns over potential environmental damage and fire risk in the already dry region.
I’m Chris Harper reporting for TRF News.