NEWS RELEASE
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
April 30, 2026
CONTACT: Dana Kazel, Communications Manager
218-725-5049 (office) • 218-591-2219 (cell)
County foresters oversee planting of 40,000 pine seedlings where wildfires burned last year
As the one-year anniversary approaches of devastating wildfires that burned thousands of acres in St. Louis County, reforestation efforts are underway. The St. Louis County Land & Minerals' forestry division on Thursday oversaw the planting of 40,000 tree seedlings. The mix of red and white pine seedlings now cover approximately 48 acres of tax forfeited land that had burned in the Munger Shaw fire.
Minnesota Power/ALLETE, through its Rajala Woods Initiative donated 23,000 seedlings for the reforestation efforts, with the remaining 17,000 coming from the county's supply. The county contracted with Superior Forestry Service, Inc. to do the plantings.
“Planting white pine, red pine and other long-lived species is a great step to make the forest more resilient and reduce the risks of wildfires and insect infestations," said Kurt Anderson, Chairman of the Rajala Woods Foundation and Minnesota Power Director of Environmental and Land Management. "Encouraging this long-lived forest supports the mission of the Rajala Woods Foundation, helps protect Minnesota Power’s vital infrastructure in the area from wildfire damage, and creates other social benefits for everyone.”
St. Louis County's Land and Minerals Department is responsible for managing State Tax Forfeited Trust Lands for the sustained benefit of residents and visitors. This includes maintaining forest health and productivity to support the timber industry, recreation opportunities and wildlife habitat.
The Land and Minerals Department expects to plant about 350,000 seedlings in total this year. The donation from Minnesota Power/ALLETE enabled the County to replant sooner where the fire had burned.
"It can take about two years to get seedlings, so we're grateful to Minnesota Power/ALLETE for the donation that allowed us to begin reforesting here this year," said Nate Anderson, deputy director of St. Louis County Land and Minerals.
Added Erik Anton, a St. Louis County forester, "The trees that burned here were about 50 years old, so it will take time for this area to recover, but it's exciting to see it start. Interestingly, we're already seeing aspen regenerating nearby."
Land and Minerals is a self-sustaining department, meaning it receives no funding from property taxes. Instead, the department is funded by sale proceeds of timber, gravel, and other activities
 Workers planted 40,000 red and white pine seedlings in an area off Munger Shaw Road that had burned in last year's wildfire.
 Red and White Pine seedlings waiting to be planted. Minnesota Power/ALLETE through its Rajala Woods Initiative, donated 23,000 of the seedlings, with the county supplying an additional 17,000.
 A pine seedling is planted between the remnants of last year's wildfire.
 An employee of Superior Forestry Service, Inc. plants seedlings in an area off Munger Shaw Road, helping reforest after last year's wildfire.
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