Spring open burning restrictions in most of the northern two-thirds of Minnesota went into effect at 8 a.m. Monday, April 2, according to the Department of Natural Resources (DNR). The purpose of the fire restrictions is to reduce personal property damage resulting from wildfires caused by debris burning.
The counties affected by the fire restrictions are all counties from northern Minnesota south to Ramsey, Hennepin and Washington counties, except the counties of Koochiching, Lake, Cook, Lake of the Woods, Polk west of County Road 6, St. Louis north of County Road 16, Beltrami north of Highway 1, and Roseau east of Highway 310 south to Highway 89. Restrictions are expected to begin on April 9 or later for the remaining counties listed above.
A map of the fire restriction areas can be viewed on the DNR Web site at www.dnr.state.mn.us .
As temperatures continue to warm and vegetation dries out, fire agencies are expecting an increase in fire activity. Data indicates that most spring wildfires originate from the burning of yard debris, according to Olin Phillips, DNR fire protection manager.
Historically, 80 percent of all wildfires in Minnesota occur during April and May. Since the inception of annual permit restrictions, the number of spring wildland fires has been reduced.
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"The DNR is asking residents to use alternative methods of debris disposal, such as recycling, composting or chipping," Phillips said.
Once the restrictions are in place, they will continue for four to six weeks, or until vegetation greens up enough to significantly lower the fire danger.
This is a restriction on the issuing of debris burning permits. Forestry personnel may still give some variances for specific activities.
"Each variance application is reviewed separately," Phillips said. "These permits are only granted for situations such as prescribed fires conducted by trained fire personnel, burning for approved agricultural practices, and construction or economic hardship burning for which there is no feasible alternative."
More counties will be added to the restricted area as snow cover disappears and potential for wildfire increases in areas north of the metro. Additional information is available on the DNR Web site at www.dnr.state.mn.us/forestry/fire .
