ORR — A rural Orr man was arrested Sunday, May 17, for allegedly shooting at an airplane that was responding to a wildfire.
The 48-year-old was arrested at his Portage Township home, the St. Louis County Sheriff's Office reported. He is currently being held in the St. Louis County Jail pending possible charges of reckless discharge of a firearm, second-degree assault and felony criminal damage to property.
Firefighters were responding Friday afternoon to a wildland fire in Portage Township, between Orr and Crane Lake. Multiple aircraft were dispatched to fight the flames.
After returning to the Hibbing airport, it was discovered that a fire suppression plane under contract with the Department of Natural Resources appeared to have been struck by a bullet.
The pilot was not injured.
Officials believe the plane was hit while scooping water from Kjostad Lake.
Several firearms and ammunition were seized from the man's home when officials executed a search warrant.
A news release from the St. Louis County Sheriff's Office said investigators do not believe there is an ongoing threat to the public.
KAXE generally does not name people accused of crimes before they are charged in court.
The sheriff's office is being assisted in this investigation by the Federal Aviation Administration, FBI, DNR, Bureau of Criminal Apprehension, Minnesota State Patrol, Duluth Police Department and Superior Police Department.
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