Bemidji Fire Department

06/04/2026

Congratulations to two outstanding members of the Bemidji Fire Department on their recent promotions!

Please join us in congratulating Chris Loebs on his promotion to Deputy Fire Chief and Joe Krotzer on his promotion to career Firefighter/EMT.

Chris has demonstrated exceptional leadership, dedication, and commitment to serving both our department and community throughout his career. His experience and passion for the fire service will remain invaluable as he steps into this important leadership role.

Joe has shown a strong work ethic, professionalism, and commitment to providing high-quality service to the residents and visitors of Bemidji. We are excited to welcome him into his new role as a career Firefighter/EMT.

Promotions such as these reflect the hard work, training, and dedication required to serve in the fire service. We are proud to have both Chris and Joe as members of our team and look forward to their continued success.

Congratulations, Chris and Joe! Thank you for your dedication to the Bemidji Fire Department and the community we proudly serve. 🚒

05/27/2026

05/27/2026

The Bemidji Fire Department’s controlled burns have been completed for the day. We appreciate the public’s patience and cooperation while crews conducted these operations safely and efficiently.

If you have concerns related to today’s burns, please contact dispatch at their non-emergent number, 218-333-9111, to report them.

Thank you for helping us keep our community safe!

05/27/2026

🚨 Controlled Burns Happening Today 🚨

The Bemidji Fire Department is conducting controlled burns today (Wednesday, May 27), starting late this morning in the following areas:

📍 Library Park shoreline (near 6th St NE / Bemidji Ave)
📍 Waterfront park area (see map)
📍 Near Lake Shore Dr NE & Central Ave NE (see map)

🔥 You will see smoke and fire crews working in these locations throughout the day.

⚠️ Please remember:
• These are planned, controlled burns
• Avoid the immediate areas so crews can work safely
• No need to call 911 unless you see fire outside of the marked areas

We appreciate your cooperation as we complete this important training and wildfire prevention work.

05/26/2026

🚨 Controlled Burns Scheduled – Wednesday, May 27 🚨

The Bemidji Fire Department will be conducting controlled burns on Wednesday, May 27, beginning in the late morning at the following locations:

📍 Library Park shoreline area (near 6th St NE / Bemidji Ave)
📍 Park area near the waterfront (shown in second image)
📍 Area near Lake Shore Dr NE & Central Ave NE (shown in third image)

(See attached maps for exact burn locations)

These burns are planned, permitted, and closely monitored as part of ongoing wildfire risk reduction efforts.

🔥 What to expect:
• Visible smoke in these areas
• Fire crews and apparatus on scene
• Active fire within controlled zones

⚠️ Important:
• These are intentional burns — not emergencies
• Please avoid these areas while crews are working
• If you see smoke from a distance, there is no need to call 911 unless something appears outside of the designated burn zones

We appreciate your patience as we continue working to keep our community safe.

05/25/2026

Today, we pause to remember.

Memorial Day is not just a long weekend or the start of summer—it’s a day to honor the men and women who gave their lives in service to our country.

Their sacrifice is the reason we’re able to serve our community, live freely, and gather with the people we care about.

At the Bemidji Fire Department, we remember those who made the ultimate sacrifice and extend our gratitude to the families who carry that loss every day.

We will never forget. 🇺🇸

05/16/2026

The event honored five retired firefighters and presented ample important awards that told tales of bravery and sacrifice.

05/14/2026

05/14/2026

We are proud to recognize Deputy Chief Mike Yavarow on his retirement after nearly 29 years of service with the Bemidji Fire Department.

Since 1997, Mike has been a dependable leader on scene and behind the scenes—responding to calls, helping guide critical decisions, code enforcement, and ensuring the job gets done right when it matters most. From long nights on difficult incidents to the everyday responsibilities that keep the department running, his consistency has made a lasting difference.

A career like this represents thousands of calls, countless hours of service, and an unwavering commitment to serving others.

Thank you, Deputy Chief Yavarow, for your years of dedication to this department and the community. We wish you the very best in your retirement.

Congratulations to Deputy Chief Mike Yavarow on his retirement! Since joining the Bemidji Fire Department in 1997, he has dedicated more than 29 years to serving his community.

Thank you, Deputy Chief Yavarow, for your unwavering commitment to the Minnesota Fire Service.