Wildfire Prevention Week April 16-22

To increase awareness of outdoor wildfire hazards, the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources has announced that April 16-22 is Wildfire Prevention Week. Minnesotans are asked to be thoughtful about how and when they use fire.

Most wildfires in Minnesota occur in the spring. Last year’s dry vegetation can quickly catch fire between the time snow has melted and plants or grasses green up. Fires escaping a debris burn is the number-one cause of wildfires. Campfires escaping the fire ring on dry, windy days is another important cause of wildfires.

“The DNR is already fighting wildfires thanks to the mild winter and early spring,” said Linda Gormanson, DNR burning permits coordinator. “Dead or dormant vegetation can easily catch fire since we’ve had little precipitation so far this spring.”

Because escaped debris burning fires are the biggest cause of wildfires in Minnesota, Gormanson recommends mulching or composting vegetative debris to avoid these fires in the first place. If plans include a campfire, Gormanson said clear the area around the campfire and keep the fire to less than 3 feet in diameter and height. Keep a shovel and water on hand, watch the campfire continuously and make sure it is completely out before leaving.

The DNR has initiated spring burning restrictions to reduce the number of unintended fires. A burning permit is required to burn vegetative material unless there is at least 3 inches of snow on the ground. The DNR or local governments may also restrict burning if weather conditions warrant.

Visit the DNR’s statewide fire danger and current burning restriction webpage at mndnr.gov/burnrestrictions before starting a fire. Also check local weather conditions.

So far this year, 455 fires have burned 1,238 acres.  On average each year, Minnesota fire agencies respond to 1,500 wildfires that burn over 42,000 acres at a cost of tens of millions of dollars.

Visit the Wildfire Prevention webpage at mndnr.gov/wildfire/prevention to learn more about wildfire prevention.

Spring burning restrictions begin April 10 in NW MN counties

Spring burning restrictions will go into effect in most of the northwestern Minnesota counties on April 10 and will remain in place until grasses green up, usually mid-May. At present, burning permits are required in snow-free, open areas unless unbroken snow cover remains in the area surrounding the fire. Small campfires less than 3 feet across are allowed, but must be attended and put out cold.

During the burning restriction period, only variance permits for agricultural operations are issued, and only from the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources Forestry offices.

Wildfires start and spread easily in the spring when grasses are brown and warm windy days are common. Spring burning restrictions have significantly reduced the number of wildfires that occur in April and May. Fewer wildfires reduce the strain on volunteer fire departments that respond to the majority of wildfires in northwest Minnesota.

Restricting open burning during the high fire danger seasons is an effective way to prevent wildfires. The DNR encourages people to consider alternatives to burning, such as using municipal composting sites. If this is not practical, the summer growing season and winter are the preferred times to burn brush piles.

Current information on statewide fire danger and burning restrictions is available at mndnr.gov/forestry/fire or by contacting your local DNR Forestry office.

Spring burning restrictions begin today

With warm temperatures, little to no snow and dry vegetation, the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources will start spring burning restrictions in parts of the state today. As conditions for wildfires increase, exposed dead grass and brush can light easily and burn quickly, especially in windy conditions.

To find burning restrictions for different areas, go to mndnr.gov/burnrestrictions or call a local DNR Forestry office. Fire conditions may change quickly. So, be sure to check before burning.

During spring restrictions, the state will not give out burning permits for burning brush or yard waste. Debris burning is especially dangerous in April and May when most wildfires occur in Minnesota. Residents are encouraged to use alternatives to burning such as composting or hauling brush to a collection site. 

“Burning restrictions for southern and central Minnesota will begin on Friday, March 31,” said Linda Gormanson, DNR burn permit coordinator. “We anticipate that north-central Minnesota restrictions will start Monday, April 3, and the rest of the state will follow.”

The restrictions usually last four to six weeks until sufficient green growth occurs. These spring restrictions have resulted in a dramatic decrease in the number and size of fires the DNR responds to each year.

Burning restrictions do not apply to campfires, they are still allowed. Clear an area around the campfire, watch it continuously and make sure it is out cold to the touch before leaving.

Burning permits required for open burning

The Department of Natural Resources (DNR) reminds landowners that burning permits are required for all open burning in the Bemidji Forestry area.

Open burning includes large bonfires, brush piles or fields. Burning permits are for vegetative material only, such as grass, brush or wood. The permit does not allow burning asphalt shingles, tires or other non-vegetative materials.

Campfires up to three feet in diameter do not require a permit.

If you lose control of your fire and it becomes a wildfire, you will be responsible for the costs of fighting it. Be careful when you burn. Don’t let your fire become a wildfire.

Remember, burning permits are required for all open burning when there is less than three inches of snow on the ground. Fire danger is often high in the spring and may increase quickly over the next few weeks. Because of these conditions, the DNR has restricted burning in many counties.

Please check conditions/restrictions with your local DNR Forestry office, local fire warden or online at www.mn.dnr.gov.

Lack of snow means burning restrictions will happen soon

The Minnesota Department of Natural Resources reminds woodland owners to take care of vegetative debris such as dry branches now, as annual open burning restrictions will take effect shortly after snowmelt.

“This winter burning permits have been required in areas of the state that have not been fully covered with snow,” said DNR wildfire prevention supervisor Linda Gormanson. “Warmer temperatures in February could quickly melt the snow that remains.”

A burning permit is required if there is less than 3 inches of snow on the ground. The chance for a fire to escape and burn into unintended areas and endanger lives, homes and property is greatly reduced when adequate snow cover is present. Check local city and municipalities for burning regulations prior to burning.

The DNR recommends composting leaves and twigs instead of burning to reduce air pollution and the chance of starting a wildfire. Visit the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency’s website for information on how to start composting yard waste: www.pca.state.mn.us/living-green/start-composting-your-backyard.

After the snow melts, spring fire restrictions take effect and open burning will be restricted until vegetation turns green. The highest number of wildfires are in April and May when vegetation is dry and people commonly do spring clean-up activities. Due to the high number of wildfires during this time, the DNR initiates open burning permit restrictions to coincide with spring fire season. The DNR has seen a significant decrease in accidental fires when burning restrictions are in place.

Depending on weather and spring green-up conditions, restrictions remain in effect for four to six weeks. Visit www.mndnr.gov/forestry/fire/firerating_restrictions.html for information on open burning restrictions.

Overall, 98 percent of wildfires in Minnesota are caused by humans. Individuals are responsible for costs to control an escaped fire and the damage it causes.