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DNR monitors potential fire danger in area
Staff Writer With snow disappearing and moisture lacking in fields and woods, area fire officials are warning residents of the potential fire danger.
The DNR reinstated burning restrictions April 2 for the Brainerd lakes area. Burning will be allowed only with a burning permit on a case-by-case basis because of need or hardship.
Currently, the fire danger is listed as moderate, Mortensen said, but if weather conditions persist, that may soon change.
"The fire danger is starting to build up," Mortensen said. "We're getting close to where we would consider the danger high."
In Brainerd, Fire Chief Fred Underhill reminded residents that under city ordinance, only recreational fires or construction burning permits are allowed during any time of the year. That means no burning of leaves, brush or garbage.
Underhill said having residents follow the ordinance is especially important at this time of year, when dry conditions and brisk winds could lead to a devastating wildfire.
"We just want to make people aware that spring is here and it wouldn't take much with the wind and conditions to have a fire spread," Underhill said. "The last thing we want to see is someone burn a neighbor's house down."
The following rules apply to recreational fires in Brainerd:
¥ Only unfinished wood not less than 1 inch in diameter may be used.
¥ The fire must be 3 feet in diameter or smaller, with no flames higher than 3 feet.
¥ The fire must be located farther than 25 feet from any structure or combustible storage.
¥ Burning paper, refuse or flammable/combustible liquids is prohibited.
¥ Buckets, shovels or garden hoses must be readily available to extinguish the fire.
¥ Recreational fires must be attended by an adult knowledgeable in the use of fire-extinguishing equipment until the fire is extinguished.
¥ Conditions that could cause a fire to spread within 25 feet of a structure or combustible storage must be eliminated.
¥ The fire chief can require that recreational fires be extinguished immediately if determined to constitute a hazardous condition or nuisance.
¥ The fire department must be notified at 828-2312 not less than two hours before igniting any recreational fire. If conditions are determined to be hazardous, fire officials may order that the fire not be ignited or that an existing fire be extinguished.
¥ The individual notifying the fire department of a recreational fire must either own the property where the fire will be located or have written permission from the property owner for a recreational fire.
¥ Fires contained in barbecue grills and permanently installed barbecue pits are not covered by the regulations.
Underhill said that if a recreational fire doesn't meet city ordinance or is a nuisance, firefighters will ask that it be put out. If the problem continues, he said action will be taken.
"I don't want to (prohibit) recreational bonfires from the city, I enjoy them myself," Underhill said. "But I want people to understand there are rules that have to be followed."
MATT ERICKSON may be reached at matt.erickson@brainerddispatch.com or 855-5857.
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