The Minnesota DNR has set its burning restrictions for Minnesota residents heading into this spring. The DNR is now restricting the open burning of vegetative debris due to increased wildfire risk resulting from hot temperatures and arid conditions across most of Minnesota.
Effective on March 18, the restrictions apply in the following counties:
Aitkin, Anoka, Becker, Beltrami, Benton, Carlton, Cass, Chisago, Clay, Clearwater, Crow Wing, Douglas, Grant, Hennepin, Hubbard, Isanti, Itasca, Kanabec, Mahnomen, Mille Lacs, Morrison, Norman, Otter Tail, Pine, Polk, Pope, Ramsey, Red Lake, Sherburne, St. Louis County (southern half), Stearns, Stevens, Todd, Traverse, Wadena, Washington, Wilkin, and Wright.
Crookston Fire Chief Shane Heldstab explains that the DNR will send multiple agents state-wide to monitor the burning activity. “The DNR will be surveying areas and will look at all of the different factors,” said Heldstab, “From snowpack, moisture content, and the big one they will always monitor is green up. When all the data is collected, they will analyze it and decide based on it.”
The DNR updates the restrictions and regulations daily, and not only do our local firefighters stay updated on the restrictions, but they encourage citizens to do so. “It’s (the Website) is constantly refreshing,” said Heldstab, “It’s always based on relative humidity, based off of wind speeds, temperatures, etc. I was talking to the DNR about anything that was outstanding this year, and they said all of the light fuels have minimal snowpack to pack any of that down, and it’s actually standing. So it’s not packed down underneath the snow. It’s standing.” The DNR has stated on its website that lack of snowpack could be the most common cause of fires this spring, and dryness of the light fuel could be a hazard in the upcoming months.
FIRE PERMITS INFORMATION
Crookston residents must contact the Crookston Fire Department if they want to receive a fire-burning permit. The DNR still needs to activate the licenses when they see fit. “We can issue them, but it’s all dependent on the DNR whether or not they will be activated,” said Heldstab, “There are different versions; you can get a regular open burning permit, or you can get a variant permit. This is something we can talk to you about when you stop by at the station.”
The open burning permit will grant the individual holder the right to burn small amounts of dry leaves, plant clippings, brush, and clean, untreated-unpainted wood if weather conditions do not pose a fire hazard. The variant permit is typically a one-activation use, and would be used for larger fires such as a one-acre grass fire.
The Fire Department now urges community members to stay up-to-date on the always-changing fire restrictions within the state. If interested in purchasing a fire permit, contact the Crookston Fire Department at 218-281-2205. For the latest information regarding fire restrictions, visit the Minnesota DNR website at https://www.dnr.state.mn.us/
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