Aitkin County Sheriff's Office

07/15/2026

The smoke from St Louis and Lake County Fires has moved into our area. It is traveling throughout the state. Please help us keep our phone lines open for emergencies! As always, if you see flames or a fire in your immediate area, please report it by calling 911.

Our dispatchers have been fielding calls from people reporting that they are smelling smoke, and are concerned of a structure fire or grass fire nearby. For those of you who have successfully avoided every news broadcast, weather report and social media post about this...
..The boundary waters is going up in smoke and is sending us a long distance scented candle- Campfire: XXL. If this is the first you've heard about it, well, welcome back from your expedition to the bottom of Lake Superior. Or maybe your news feed is just filled with endless cat videos and Taylor Swift’s wedding?

Whatever the case may be, please do not call our dispatchers about the smell of smoke in the air. Your barn is on fire? Call us. Your neighbor’s grill turned into a bon fire? Call us. You smell that limited-edition, all-natural Minnesota cologne scent of charred trees? Don't call us.

Thank you for helping us keep our dispatch line open for actual emergencies.

06/09/2026

05/29/2026

URGENT SCAM ALERT: PROTECT YOUR MONEY

Please share this to protect your family and friends.

Scammers are calling local residents pretending to be government officials, tech support, utility companies, or family members in distress. They use panic to demand immediate payment.

Hang up immediately if a caller instructs you to:
* Buy gift cards (Apple, Google Play, Target, etc.).
* Send wire transfers (Western Union or MoneyGram).
* Mail cash or checks via FedEx, UPS, or USPS.

The Golden Rule: No legitimate business, police department, IRS agent, or utility company will ever demand payment via gift cards, wire transfers, or physical mail. Once sent, this money cannot be recovered.

What to do:
1. Hang up: Do not engage with the caller. Block their number from calling you back.
2. Verify: Call the organization back using a trusted number from an official website.
3. Warn others: Check on elderly relatives who are frequently targeted.

Please share this post to help keep our community safe.

05/28/2026

The Sheriff’s Office is excited to support this year’s Youth Fishing Contest on Big Sandy Lake!

Events like these are a great opportunity for families to enjoy the outdoors, spend time together, and teach kids a lifelong love of fishing and water recreation.

While you’re out enjoying the day, please remember water safety:

• Wear life jackets when appropriate.
In Minnesota, children under 10 years old are required to wear a U.S. Coast Guard–approved life jacket (PFD) while a boat is underway, unless they are inside an enclosed cabin or below deck
• Stay hydrated and protect yourself from the sun
• Be aware of changing weather and water conditions
• Help keep our lakes and shorelines clean and safe for everyone

This is about fun, community, and making memories. We look forward to seeing everyone out on the water and wish all participants good luck!

🎣 Calling all Aitkin County youth anglers! 🐟

Get ready for an unforgettable weekend on Big Sandy Lake at the Aitkin County Youth Fishing Tournament!

🏡Check in at Big Sandy Lodge & Resort
📅 June 13–14
⏰ Starts 8:00 AM Saturday | Ends 12:00 PM Sunday

This youth-only tournament is all about fun, friendly competition, and BIG catches! 🏆
🎯 Age divisions for all skill levels
🐟 Awards for largest Walleye, Northern Pike & Bass

📱 HOW TO JOIN & ENTER FISH (FishDonkey App):
1️⃣ Download the FishDonkey App - https://www.fishdonkey.com/app
2️⃣ Tap “Fish in a Tournament”
3️⃣ Search Aitkin County Youth and join the event
✅ Tip: Join the PRACTICE event first to get familiar!

Bring the kids, make memories, and reel in some trophies! 🌲🌊

👉 Check out details in the event flyer and get signed up today!

05/22/2026

Please join us in congratulating our very own School Resource Officer, Deputy Jon Cline!

Deputy Cline was honored today for his outstanding service to the students, families, and staff at the McGregor School. We are incredibly proud of his dedication to building strong, positive relationships and keeping our school community safe.

Thank you, Deputy Cline, for representing the Sheriff's Office with such excellence and heart! Way to go!

05/20/2026

PUBLIC SERVICE ANNOUNCEMENT FROM SHERIFF DAN GUIDA

With the planting seasons approaching, the Aitkin County Sheriff's Office is asking both motorists and farmers to share the road safely.

Please swipe through the photos below to read the full safety guidelines for motorists and equipment operators!

05/19/2026

A huge thank you to St. John’s Lutheran Church in Aitkin for the incredibly generous donation of beautiful, handmade quilts for our Deputy squad cars!

These quilts will provide comfort, warmth, and a sense of safety to community members during stressful situations and emergencies. We are deeply grateful for the church members' time, talent, and care in crafting these gifts for our community.

Thank you for partnering with us to spread warmth and comfort across Aitkin County!

04/22/2026

🚩RED FLAG**CRITICAL FIRE WEATHER🚩

URGENT - FIRE WEATHER MESSAGE
National Weather Service Duluth MN
943 AM CDT Wed Apr 22 2026
..DRY AND GUSTY CONDITIONS CREATE CRITICAL FIRE WEATHER TODAY...
Dry conditions with minimum relative humidities between 20 and
25 percent and southerly winds at 5 to 15 mph with gusts of 20 to
30 mph are forecast this afternoon into early evening. These
conditions will create critical fire weather conditions over
portions of northeast Minnesota and northwest Wisconsin. Wind
gusts will subside and relative humidities will increase by early
evening.

MNZ018-025-026-033>036-230100-
/O.CON.KDLH.FW.W.0004.260422T1700Z-260423T0100Z/
North Itasca-North Cass-South Itasca-South Cass-Crow Wing-
Northern Aitkin-South Aitkin-
943 AM CDT Wed Apr 22 2026
..RED FLAG WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 8 PM CDT THIS EVENING
FOR WIND AND LOW RELATIVE HUMIDITY FOR PORTIONS OF NORTH-CENTRAL
AND NORTHEAST MINNESOTA...

* AFFECTED AREA...In Minnesota, North Itasca, North Cass, South
Itasca, South Cass, Crow Wing, Northern Aitkin and South
Aitkin.

* WINDS...Southeast 10 to 20 mph with gusts up to 30 mph.

* RELATIVE HUMIDITY...As low as 19 percent.

* IMPACTS...Any fires that ignite could spread rapidly and
become difficult to control. Outdoor burning is not
recommended.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

A Red Flag Warning means that critical fire weather conditions
are either occurring now, or will shortly. A combination of
strong winds, low relative humidity, and warm temperatures can
contribute to extreme fire behavior.

04/20/2026

Aitkin County is hosting a Sky Warn Spotter Class Tuesday, April 21st @ 6:00 pm in the Aitkin Courthouse Training Room. Please join us!

04/16/2026

🌪️Severe Weather Awareness Week **Statewide Tornado Drill Day🌪️

Today is the Statewide Tornado Drill. Outside Sirens will be activated at 1:45 and 6:45 pm.

Please take this time to practice with your family, so they know what to do and where to go if a tornado warning is issued. If your family knows what to do before, during and after a tornado, you will minimize your risk of injury!

For more information please visit the site listed below:

https://www.weather.gov/safety/tornado