BACKUS — The main shop building at a timber company near Backus was lost to fire over the weekend.
A passing motorist spotted the large building on fire shortly before 1 a.m. Saturday on Highway 371, according to the Cass County Sheriff's Office.
Firefighters from seven area departments worked through the night to contain the blaze at the Sawyer Timber Co. The shop and its contents were deemed a loss.
According to the company’s website, it’s been in business for more than 50 years.
The fire and its cause remain under investigation with the assistance of the State Fire Marshal's Office.
Assisting at the scene were fire departments from Backus, Hackensack, Pine River, Pequot Lakes, Walker, Longville and Crosslake. Also assisting were Minnesota Power, the Minnesota Department of Transportation and North Memorial Health Ambulance.
-
Chelsey Perkins/KAXEMany were answering the call June 23, 2026, of the MN branch of the American Civil Liberties Union to pack the room in light of recent enforcement activity in the region. -
During the Phenology Report for the week of June 23, 2026 Staff Phenologist John Latimer remarks on monarch butterfly mating, a good crop of berries ripening, and turtles nesting. -
Contributed/Little FeversLucy Michelle from Little Fevers takes time to talk about the band and their upcoming show at the Beltrami Block Party on Saturday, June 27, 2026. -
Contributed/Leona CichyDuring the week of June 23, 2026, we enjoy reports of pitcher plants, cotton grass and an American toad. Staff phenologist John Latimer responds. -
Maria Hileman/KAXEKAXE's weekly list of concerts near you features Elour, Ditty Wish, Sam Miltich, Tattletale, Sonny Johnson, Caige Jambor, Little Fevers, David Huckfelt, Erik Koskinen and more. -
Contributed/Rock Ridge Public Schools via FacebookThe School Board unanimously passed its budget, leaving a little more than $136,000 of cash flow available in its general fund. -
And: A cannabis business has been approved for Second Harvest's LaPrairie warehouse; and Rock Ridge has nearly depleted its reserves. -
Contributed/Minnesota Department of Natural ResourcesThe intent of the ban is to reduce the risk of chronic wasting disease spread, following detections of CWD in wild deer in new areas of the state last year. -
Contributed/USDA Forest Service - Superior National ForestLate cancellations and no‑shows continue to climb, according to the U.S. Forest Service. In 2025, nearly 40% of January reservations were never used. -
JOHN SCARRRural-centric organizations leading a music festival tour want more inclusivity and spaces for community bonding.
