Two charged with arson in Morrison County fires

LITTLE FALLS (AP) -- Two men have been charged with arson in connection with several fires last month in Morrison County, authorities said Friday.

Jason Kruschek, of Hillman, and Dwayne Tretter, of Onamia, are accused of intentionally starting several grass fires that burned out of control March 26.

It took firefighters nearly four hours to get the fires under control.

Authorities allege that Kruschek and Tretter took a van from their employer to make a business call at a nearby residence. Along the way, they allegedly set the fires.

"It should be of great concern to the public that firefighters were tied up for hours fighting these deliberately set fires and were not available to attack accidental fires that might have started during that time," said Ron Sanow, an area forester with the DNR.

Fire danger remains high to very high across the northern third of Minnesota, officials said. Fire restrictions remain in effect and burn permits won't be issued until green-up occurs or significant amounts of rain fall.