Cliff Buchan
News Editor

Strong westerly winds on Friday helped fuel a grass fire in the Carlos Avery Wildlife Management Area that posed a stiff challenge for volunteers from six fire departments.

The fire consumed more than 300 acres in a section of the state-owned wildlife area west of Wyoming. Fire department crews were on the scene for five hours after the initial call to the Linwood Fire Department at 1:22 p.m.

Department of Natural Resource firefighters monitored the scene overnight as a precaution.

Cause of the blaze has not been determined, fire officials said.

In addition to Linwood and DNR firefighters, the grass fire was battled by volunteers from Wyoming, Forest Lake, East Bethel, Stacy-Lent and Chisago City.

As many as 60 firefighters were called into action.

Hugo fire crews moved up to support Forest Lake while Lindstrom firefighters were stationed in Wyoming under mutual aid as a backup.

North Rescue ambulance crews were on the scene as a precaution and police officers from Wyoming and Forest Lake were also at the scene.

The police presence was requested to assist with home evacuations should the fire have endangered homes in the area. No evacuations were needed.

Traffic control was provided by deputy sheriffs from Anoka and Chisago counties.

Police news

Police in Forest Lake last week chased down a man who allegedly stole three cartons of cigarettes from a local store.

Police were called to the Holiday Station Store, 1208 W. Broadway Ave., at 1:10 a.m. on Thursday, Nov. 1 where a man had taken three cartons of cigarettes and left the store without paying.

A store employee followed the man on foot south to the area of Applebee’s at SW 3rd Ave. and 12th St. where police joined the incident.

The man continued to flee on foot but was caught by a Forest Lake officer after a short foot pursuit.

Police said the three cartons of cigarettes were recovered and returned to the store.

The man, 20-year-old Anthony J. Haugley of North Branch, was taken to the detox unit in Hastings and will be charged with misdemeanor theft, shoplifting, police said.

Swan killed

A hunting complaint in Forest Lake led police and state Department of Natural Resources officials to learn that a juvenile trumpeter swam had been shot and killed.

According to Forest Lake Police Department records, the call from the public came in at 7:36 a.m. on Monday. The caller told police three juveniles were shooting at swans in the area of Itasca Avenue N. and 235th St. N.

State conservation officer Jason Jensen responded to the call and found one dead bird, police records said. Three juvenile males are under investigation for their alleged role in the killing of a protected bird. The matter has been turned over to the Washington County Attorney’s Office for formal charging.

The signet swan that died did not yet have its full adult white feathers but was grey in color, police reports said.

The offense is a gross misdemeanor that carries fines and possible loss of hunting privileges for up to three years.

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