The Fire: A North Shore Story

Just after midnight Feb. 6, 2024, Lut­sen Resort caught fire. The blaze near Lake Superior obliterated the historic lodge. In the aftermath of the devastation, the re­sort’s embattled own­er, Bryce Campbell, has been the focus of intense scrutiny in the media and online forums. Campbell is also the centerpiece of multiple investigations into his business dealings and his whereabouts the night of the fire. 

The fire had had a major impact on the North Shore community and economy. The loss of Lutsen Resort in this devastating blaze reaches far and wide, and it permeates far beyond the fire. 

Joe Friedrichs, who is the lead on this project, is an independent, North Shore-based journalist. Friedrichs first reported on the fire for MPR on the morning of the fire, ash literally falling on his boots while doing a live update. Friedrichs has lived near Grand Marais for more than 12 years. His worked has appeared in the Star Tribune, MPR, among many other local and regional media outlets.