DNR reminder: be careful this fall when burning

Fire danger continues to increase in northwestern Minnesota. Dry and moderate drought conditions exist in portions of Polk, Red Lake, Pennington, Mahnomen, Clearwater and Beltrami counties.

“Warm weather, killing frosts and multiple days of windy conditions have elevated fire danger,” said Dan Carroll, DNR Bemidji Area fire prevention forester. “Peat is also igniting, requiring significant mop up efforts.”

Carroll reminds landowners that they are responsible for supervising their fires until they are out cold. This can require checking fires multiple times over multiple days after they are lit.

Burning permits are required to burn vegetative debris and agricultural fields when there is less than 3 inches of snow on the ground. Citizens should know the burning restrictions for their county, and check the weather forecast, before lighting a fire.

Burning permit activations may be restricted when weather conditions allow fires to spread at uncontrollable rates.

Current information on statewide fire danger and burning restrictions is available on the DNR website at www.mndnr.gov/forestry/fire and by calling your local DNR Forestry office.

Burning permits are available online, from local fire wardens or at local DNR Forestry offices.

DNR firefighters need cooperation from drone operators

The Minnesota Department of Natural Resources requests that operators of unmanned aircraft (drones) stay at least 5 miles away from wildfires to create a safe environment for firefighting aircraft and crew.

The DNR uses helicopters and airplanes to detect wildfires and to deliver water, retardant, firefighters and cargo. These aircraft face a demanding environment with hazards such as power lines, trees, towers, smoke and wind.

“Conditions for our pilots are tough enough,” said Bill Schuster, DNR wildfire aviation supervisor. “We don’t want to worry about when and where a drone could pop up into their flight path.”

Aircraft and crew are strategically located around Minnesota to quickly respond to wildfires. One or more aircraft may be dispatched to any wildfire in the state within minutes of its start, depending on what is threatened by the fire.

Over 99 percent of wildfires that occur in Minnesota are small, quick-moving and wind-driven, and these do most of their damage within the first few hours after igniting. With the increasing overlap between wild lands and urban areas in Minnesota, firefighters need to be aggressive and safe when putting out wildfires.

“While crews were fighting a wildfire near Ostego last week, a drone was flying nearby at the same time firefighting aircraft were conducting operations,” said Shuster. “Voluntary cooperation to not operate drones within 5 miles of wildfires would allow firefighters to do their job safely, efficiently and effectively.”

Visit www.mndnr.gov/forestry/fire/wildfire_update.html for wildfire updates in Minnesota.

The Federal Aviation Administration has partnered with several industry associations to promote “Know Before You Fly,” a campaign to educate the public about using unmanned aircraft safely and responsibly. Visit www.knowbeforeyoufly.org to learn more about this program.

Minnesota likely to see early start to fire season

With the recent warm weather, Department of Natural Resources fire behavior analysts are predicting an early start to Minnesota’s spring fire season.

Predicted temperatures this week in the 40s and 50s will likely take care of what little snowpack the state had this winter. Plus, forecasts for the next two weeks show mild temperatures and a dry weather pattern. Minnesota also had a relatively dry fall and very little snow this winter. All of this points toward abnormally dry conditions in early spring. 

In addition to predicting an early start to the spring fire season, fire behavior analysts say that based on past weather patterns and fire occurrence, Minnesota will likely have an average to above average number of fires this spring. Without the snow compaction, grass fires will move faster and be more intense. And, with dry conditions, Minnesota could face fire mop-up and peat fire issues.

The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) is predicting above average temperatures and average precipitation for Minnesota this spring. The U.S. Drought Monitor shows most of the state as abnormally dry with some areas of moderate drought.  And, predictive services at the National Interagency Coordination Center in Boise, Idaho says Minnesota will likely see above normal fire potential in March, April and May.

But, even during dry periods, timely rain can lessen fire danger over the short term. Spring fires are predominantly wind-driven in fine fuels like leaves and grasses. These fine fuels respond quickly to changes in the weather. Spring fire danger will vary with the weather, so fire activity could be subdued with well-timed periodic rain.

“Because the snow is disappearing quickly, we urge people to check fire conditions and burning regulations prior to doing any open burning and to use extra caution when burning,” said Tom Fasteland, Minnesota Interagency Fire Center coordinator.

With an early start to spring, open burning restrictions are likely to be implemented earlier than normal. Residents may need to find alternatives to burning or wait until after green-up when it is safer to burn. The DNR restricts open burning shortly after snow melt when exposed dead grass and brush can light easily and burn quickly. Once spring open burning restrictions are in place the state will not give out burning permits for burning brush or yard waste. The restrictions normally last from four to six weeks until sufficient green vegetative growth occurs.

For more information on fire conditions and burning restrictions, visit the Minnesota DNR website, www.dnr.state.mn.us/forestry/fire/firerating_restrictions.html.

Red Cross To Host Multi-Agency Resource Center For Hitterdal Families Affected By Apartment Fire

The American Red Cross will be organizing a Multi-Agency Resource Center (MARC) for victims of the apartment fire in Hitterdal, MN. The MARC will be open from 10:00 a.m.-4:00 p.m. on Wednesday, October 29^th at the Hitterdal Community Center located at 101Vikings Avenue South

The purpose of the MARC is to bring local agencies together and create a ‘one-stop shop’ that provides resources for families affected by disaster. Organizations that will be present include the Red Cross, Salem Lutheran Church, the Salvation Army, Rural Enrichment and Counseling Headquarters, Inc. (REACH) Food Pantry, Eyecare Associates, and Pro Clean.

You can help people affected by disasters like home fires and countless other crises by making a donation to support American Red Cross Disaster Relief. Your gift enables the Red Cross to prepare for, respond to and help people recover from disasters big and small. Visit redcross.org, call 1-800-RED CROSS or text the REDCROSS to 90999 to make a $10 donation.

The city of Hitterdal has set up a fund to help families affected by the fire at the State Bank of Lake Park.

For more Red Cross fire safety and preparedness information, visit redcross.org/homefires.

Wildfire Prevention Week raises awareness of outdoor fire hazards

Gov. Mark Dayton has declared April 20–26 as Wildfire Prevention Week in Minnesota to increase awareness of outdoor wildfire hazards.

Each spring wildland firefighters and rural fire department volunteers spend countless hours battling wildfires that could have been easily prevented.

In the past 18 months, wildfires burned 21 homes and three commercial buildings and threatened more than 500 other structures, according to the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources. These fires were caused by people misjudging the weather and danger of fires escaping their control.

“Due to the dead and dry grasses that can easily catch fire, spring is always a risky time for wildfires in Minnesota,” said Larry Himanga, DNR wildfire prevention coordinator. “Right now the fire danger in southern and central Minnesota is high, which means fires can easily start and quickly spread. Therefore, burning permits are not being issued in most of these areas.”

A major cause of wildfires is burning yard waste. The DNR recommends composting or mulching instead. If burning is necessary, landowners should check fire burning restrictions in their area, get a burning permit, be careful with their debris fires and remember small-piled debris can hold hot coals for several days to months for large ones.

The DNR has developed new wildfire prevention Web pages (www.dnr.state.mn.us/wildfire/prevention/index.html) to help increase awareness of wildfire prevention and the dangers of wildfires.

Burning restrictions will continue to expand into northern Minnesota as fire danger increases due to snow melt.

Visit www.mndnr.gov/forestry/fire/firerating_restrictions.html for current statewide fire danger information and burning restrictions.

“When you light a fire, you are responsible for keeping it under control and staying with it until it is out,” Himanga said. “If you think your fire is out, check again.”

DNR places burning restrictions on additional counties

Statewide fire conditions have led the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources (DNR) to place burning restrictions on additional counties.

Burning restrictions take effect Monday, May 13, at 8 a.m. in the following counties: Becker, Beltrami, Carlton, Clearwater, Hubbard, Itasca, Kittson, Lake of the Woods, Mahnomen, Marshall, Pennington, Roseau, and parts of Cass, Polk and St. Louis counties.

The portion of Polk County is south and east of County Road 6 from the Manhomen County line to state Highway 92 east to the Clearwater County line. In Cass County, the restrictions affect that portion of the county south of Highway 200. In St. Louis County, the restrictions affect the area south of a line running from Silica on the west to Central Lakes and Brimson on the east. The exact line is a township line between 55 and 56 north and includes all of township 56.

The following counties are already under burning restrictions: Aitkin, Anoka, Benton, Chisago, Crow Wing, Dakota, Douglas, Hennepin, Isanti, Kanabec, Mille Lacs, Morrison, Otter Tail, Pine, Ramsey, Sherburne, Pope, Stearns, Todd, Wadena Washington and Wright and southern Cass (that portion south of Highway 200).

Restrictions are likely soon in Koochiching, Lake, Cook and northern St. Louis counties.

With the return to normal temperatures expected after the weekend, increased wind, and lower relative humidity, the remaining snow will melt rapidly. Exposed dry grass and brush creates a potential for wildfires. Minnesota has had numerous wildfires so far this spring. To date, most of these have been small.

The DNR urges extreme caution when burning. Never leave the fire unattended, have a water source available, and make sure the fire is completely out before leaving. This spring a small debris fire got away from a homeowner and destroyed the person’s home. Last year, a woman burning debris died from injuries sustained when she tried to contain an escaped fire. Anyone conducting an open fire is responsible for suppression costs when the fire escapes control.

The DNR encourages composting, recycling, and chipping as alternatives to burning.

While debris burning will be curtailed, campfires smaller than 3 feet in diameter and 3 feet in height are allowed.

Fire conditions may change quickly. If conditions warrant, DNR foresters have the ability to restrict local burning on short notice. For more information and maps, and to check fire conditions, see: www.dnr.state.mn.us/forestry/fire/firerating_restrictions.html.

Wildfire Prevention Week raises awareness of outdoor fire hazards

The Minnesota Department of Natural Resources (DNR) has declared April 21–27 as Wildfire Prevention Week to increase awareness of outdoor fire hazards.

The DNR encourages people to make a special effort to control their fires during this week and
all year long. Minnesota wildland firefighters annually extinguish an average of 1,400 fires that burn 31,000 acres.

“Ninety-eight percent of wildfires in Minnesota are caused by people, and the number one reason is escaped debris-burning fires,” said Larry Himanga, the DNR’s wildfire prevention coordinator.

Most wildfires in Minnesota occur in the spring, between the time when snow melts and vegetation turns green. Spring wildfires normally begin in the southern portion of the state and move northward as the snow disappears.

Although the fire hazard in Minnesota is low, it can quickly change. Visit www.mndnr.gov/forestry/fire/firerating_restrictions.html for current statewide fire danger information and burning restrictions.

Instead of burning yard waste, Himanga recommends composting or mulching it. If burning is necessary, landowners should check fire burning restrictions in their area, obtain a burning permit, and be careful with debris fires. Piled debris can hold hot coals for several days to months.

“When you light a fire, you are responsible for keeping it under control and you need to stay with it until it is out,” Himanga said. “If you think your fire is out, check again.”

To learn more about open burning, visit www.mndnr.gov/forestry/fire/questions.html.

The DNR reminds homeowners that burning nonvegetative material or garbage can release cancer-causing toxins into the air. “The toxins in smoke and ash from backyard garbage burning pollute our air, water and soil,” said Mark Rust with the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency.

Grazing livestock, vegetable gardens and other food sources absorb the toxins, concentrating the chemical in food and ultimately in our bodies, Rust said. He recommends recycling, composting or safely disposing of trash with a hauler or at a local drop-site to help protect people from unnecessary pollution.

In addition to contaminating food sources, burning illegal materials such as plastic and other household trash endangers firefighters responding to the fire as well as the homeowners igniting the pile. The toxic chemicals released during backyard garbage burning can lead to serious medical conditions, including lung and heart problems.

Burning any material has risks. Wildfires jeopardize public health and safety, destroy homes and property and cost millions of dollars annually to extinguish. The best way to protect lives and property from wildfires is to prevent the fires from occurring.

Burning Restrictions

Due to the severe drought conditions, burning restrictions are in place in northwest and north central Minnesota.

The counties with limitations placed on campfires and open burning include Becker, Beltrami, Cass (north of Highway 200), Clearwater, Hubbard, Mahnomen, Marshall, Pennington, Polk, Red Lake and Roseau.

No burning permits will be issued to the general public and no use of fireworks will be allowed outside of municipalities.Campfires or recreational fires outside of municipalities are allowed only in a designated receptacle designed for such use and associated with a residence or staffed campgrounds such as state parks, or resorts.