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Wildfire dangers persist
Staff Writer Sunday was a "red flag warning" day for area firefighters as low humidity, strong winds and high temperatures pushed the wildfire danger to extreme levels across central and eastern Minnesota.
Within the Brainerd area, the DNR and local fire departments battled six wildfires that burned a total of 10 to 12 acres, said Brainerd DNR program forester Mark Mortensen.
"(Sunday) was as bad as we've had this spring," for fire conditions, Mortensen said.
The wildfires were in the second assessment of northeast Crow Wing County, formerly Dean Lake Township; near Leader in Cass County; off St. Mathias Road in southern Crow Wing County; near Brainerd International Raceway north of Baxter; near Middle Cullen Lake in Nisswa; and south of Longville in Cass County.
The fires damaged no structures, Mortensen said, but did burn hardwoods, leaves and grass.
Jean Bergerson, fire information officer with the Interagency Fire Center, said the northwest part of the state was hit hardest by fires Sunday, with more than 10,000 acres burned.
Things improved Monday, with the fire danger dropping from extreme to high in Aitkin, Cass, Crow Wing, Mille Lacs, Morrison, Todd and Wadena counties.
"We don't anticipate getting back into conditions we had over the weekend, but it will still be dry and we'll have good burning conditions until the grass greens up," Mortensen said. "It's greening up now, but not where we'd like it yet."
The forecast calls for temperatures between 65 to 70 degrees through Friday with a chance of rain showers and thunderstorms Saturday through Sunday.
Burning restrictions remain in place for the Brainerd area. The DNR only allows burning with a permit on a case-by-case basis because of need or hardship.
Bergerson added that several fires started last week by people burning despite the restrictions.
Though fire conditions improved Monday, Bergerson warned that in the current dry conditions fires can still be started by a lit cigarette, charcoal from a grill or exhaust from a vehicle.
"There's a little less chance that they're going to start and less chance they'll spread quickly, but certainly the danger is there," she said.
The Brainerd Fire Department also reminded residents that only recreational fires or construction burning permits are allowed during any time of the year.
That means no burning of leaves, brush or garbage. People wishing to light a recreational fire must notify the fire department, at 828-2312, two hours before lighting the fire.
MATT ERICKSON may be reached at matt.erickson@brainerddispatch.com or 855-5857.
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Overcast, 61°
