06/17/2026
Brainerd Sunrise Rotary was honored to hear from fellow Rotarian Jory Danielson, who provided an update on the recent Flanders Fire and the response efforts surrounding the incident.
Jory serves as the Administrative Services Director for Crow Wing County and is also a Captain with the Crosslake Fire Department. His firsthand perspective gave members valuable insight into the challenges faced by emergency responders and the coordinated efforts required to protect lives, property, and natural resources during a major wildfire event. The photos were incredible, and his explanation of how smoke behaves and how fire can spread through the tops of trees was especially informative and helped members better understand the complexity of wildfire response.
Jory also shared the three key words firefighters use to help pinpoint a fire’s location, discussed Minnesota’s unique air quality and environmental conditions, and highlighted the impressive aerial resources used during the response, including 13 planes and a Chinook helicopter. It was the largest air assault in Minnesota, 1712 acres burned. These details helped paint a vivid picture of the scale and coordination involved in fighting a major wildfire.
Thank you, Jory, for sharing your knowledge and experience with our club. More importantly, thank you for your dedication and service to our communities through both your professional role and your commitment to the fire service. We are grateful for all those who work tirelessly to keep our region safe.
