Press Release
Spring burning restrictions in 17 Minnesota counties will go into effect at 8 a.m. on April 4. The purpose of the fire restrictions is to reduce personal property damage resulting from the large number of wildfires caused by vegetative debris burning.
The counties affected by the April 4 fire restrictions are: Anoka, Benton, Carver, Chisago, Dakota, Douglas, Grant, Hennepin, Isanti, Pope, Ramsey, Scott, Sherburne, Stearns, Stevens, Washington and Wright.
Within the past week, the DNR and local fire departments have responded to wildfires in Anoka and Chisago counties. As temperatures continue to warm up 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, the DNR's fire protection manager.
"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. The DNR can issue a limited number of permits through a variance process during the restriction period.
"Each variance application is reviewed separately," said Phillips. "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."
Historically, 80 percent of all wildfires in Minnesota occur during April and May. More information is available on the DNR Web site at www.dnr.state.mn.us/forestry/fire.
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[Attention editors and producers: A map of the affected counties listed above is available by contacting Jason Ziemer, DNR information officer, (651) 205-4676. It will also be available on the DNR Web site, www.dnr.state.mn.us/news/index.html.
