When wildfires began popping up across the Ely area this summer, the response included firefighters from across the nation. Firefighters from various backgrounds came together to help put out these fires. Among all of them was a familiar face, Eric Martinson, a Minnesota North College Vermilion Campus alumnus.
Martinson, a 2022 graduate of the Natural Resources program, is a member of the Gallatin Rappel Crew, one of 13 specialized helicopter rappel crews in the United States. With his deployment to Ely, he is returning to the place where everything started and brought his journey full circle.
“It was surreal to come back,” said Martinson. “This is where I learned so much about the outdoors and first discovered my passion for fighting fires.”
Rappel crews are among the first resources dispatched to remote wildfires. When a fire starts in a remote area where helicopters can’t land, firefighters descend on 300-foot ropes, carrying their supplies. Once they are on the ground, they are self-sufficient for at least 48 hours and could remain in the wilderness for a week or longer.
“It’s all about getting the fires while they are small. That’s the advantage of a rappel crew. We can get into places that are otherwise very difficult to reach.”
Martinson and his crew are based out of Bozeman, Montana. Rarely do they stay in the same place during the fire season. In just one summer, he has responded to incidents in Florida, Colorado, New Mexico, Minnesota, and Montana. The crew is constantly on the move, responding whenever wildfire activity sparks.
This will be his third season with the Gallatin Rappel Crew. Martinson’s first experience with wildland firefighting was on a team in Lake Tahoe (Nevada) before earning this special position.
His path to get here though wasn’t one you would expect. From Rochester, Minnesota, fighting fires wasn’t something he knew much about.
“I love being able to fight fires. I love the opportunities it has given me, and it is truly amazing how many different career paths this career can take.”
That path began when he chose Vermilion, attracted by Ely’s outdoor lifestyle and opportunities to explore many activities such as cross-country skiing, the Boundary Waters, and outdoor recreation.
“My initial plan was to transfer after a couple of years… but instead I found a program that led me to a career that I love.”
The Natural Resources program at Minnesota North features a variety of opportunities. Students learned by conducting prescribed burns, cutting timber, and completing field projects that mirrored work they would eventually do professionally. The small class sizes and faculty mentorship are also an advantage, Martinson noted.
“I had a great experience, especially the one-on-one time with my teachers, Ryan and Rita. They made such an impact on my learning and my future. I wouldn’t be where I am without them. They believed in me and gave me opportunities to grow.”
Although his work now takes him thousands of miles from campus, returning to Ely during one of the busiest fire seasons shows how closely his career remains to the place where it began.
For those considering a career in natural resources, Martinson has one piece of advice:
“Keep an open mind. I never expected wildfire to become my career, but I gave it a chance and found something I love. There are so many opportunities out there in this field if you are willing to explore them.”
