Public safety alert issued for possible explosives near pipeline

A public safety alert went out to cell phones across Carlton County after 2 p.m. Friday, Feb. 19, alerting people to avoid the area near Cary and Enger Roads to Mission Road.

According to a press release, just before noon Friday, Fond Du Lac police responded to protest activity blocking Ditchbank Road. As people were dispersing from the area at 12:40 p.m., Carlton County 911 Dispatch received a call that three people had thrown suspicious packages out and left the area. Deputies from the Carlton County Sheriff’s Office responded. A bomb squad was requested through the Minnesota Duty Officer to investigate the packages.

The area around the incident location is being evacuated for safety. The Perch Lake Town Hall is being used as a shelter for anyone evacuated from the area. Law enforcement are asking people to avoid the area for now as this is an ongoing incident.

The Cloquet Area Fire District, the MN Bureau of Criminal Apprehension, and the MN Department of Natural Resources also responded to assist with the incident.

Local law enforcement will send out a notification when it is safe to return to the area.