In 2005 I found out that the Department of Transportation (DOT) owns the fire tower on the East side of Bemidji, (Lake of) and they use the fire tower as an antenna site. This spring they will be taking the fire tower down to replace it with a radio tower, so I immediately begin contacting those in charge, to see if I could have the DOT give the fire tower to "Camp Wilderness" Boy Scouts of America.

After several emails, I was given the green light for the project. In fact, the DOT wrote the contract that stipulates that the contractor will take the fire tower down and hand it over the Scouts.

The next job and the hard one, was to find someone with a crane that would move the fire tower and erect it at Camp Wilderness. I was told of a person that was a Scout Master and in the construction business, so I chased him down. Bingo, I found a Mr. Steve Inkel, Scout Master and Contractor/owner of Diversified Builders & Design of Bemidji, MN and Steve is willing to move the fire tower to the camp. The Scout Camp will cover the costs of footings, eight foot bolts and fencing, the other work, making new steps will be done by volunteers.

When Bob Spear stopped in MN on his way back for the Western Conference, Bob and I went to the fire tower site to take a few measurements, it was then I noticed that the lower set of stairs was missing. The forestry personal was able to locate the missing steps and I will have them on site this spring.

The new Minnesota chapter patches are in and will be dispersed to the MN Chapter Members. Others that want a Minnesota patch, check the FFLA web page under "Patches"

This summer at the Beltrami County Fair, (July 26-30) the MN Chapter of the FFLA will have a sales tent under the Pinewood Fire Tower and volunteers will be needed. If interested contact me via email: quam@paulbunyan.net

The other big item this year was the opening of the Agassiz Refuge Fire Tower on June 5th. See FFLA Newsletter: Vol.16 No.3 summer 2005

The Fire Tower at the Minnesota State Fair will be opening this year and Curt Cogan, past MN Chapter Director, is asking for volunteer help at the fire tower, if you're available Contact Curt at: curt.cogan@dnr.state.mn.us

A DVD video on "Forest Fire in Northern Maine" with Forest Service Helicopter Pilot Harold Jones is now available through the MN Chapter. The video was originally shot on VHS tape in 1992 and I have edited the scenes together on a Mac computer with Harold talking about how the fire was fought with HU-1 helicopters. Ride along with Harold and see what it is like to be inside the helicopter on a forest fire. For more information contact Davie Quam at: quam@paulbunyan.net

David Quam, Minnesota Chapter Director