Persistent dry conditions throughout northern Minnesota will mix with unseasonably warm temperatures, low relative humidity and gusty winds resulting in near-critical fire weather through June 6.
Wildfires under these conditions can easily start and spread quickly, especially in the already dry northern forested areas, reported the Minnesota Interagency Fire Center in a news release, urging people to be careful with any potential heat source that can cause a spark.
“Minimal precipitation throughout northern Minnesota brought little relief over the spring, and we are entering summer under higher fire danger conditions in northern Minnesota,” stated Travis Verdegan, fire behavior specialist with the fire center. “The appearance of green-up is deceiving as many areas in the north are now 2 to 3 inches below average for rainfall.”
Verdegan stated more extreme wildfire behavior has been reported from recent wildfires than typically occurs this time of year due to the dryness. He anticipates high fire danger will continue into the summer season as abnormally dry conditions linger.
Fire prevention is everyone’s responsibility, the fire center stated. When conditions are this dry, any source of fire, even debris burns and campfires, can quickly turn into an escape wildfire.
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Tips include:
Don’t burn debris.
Keep campfires 3 feet in diameter by 3 feet high or smaller.
Remain with your campfire until it is out cold. Keep a hose or enough water and a shovel nearby to drown-stir-repeat until cold enough to touch.
Be aware, sparks from gas-powered engines, including lawn mowers and all-terrain vehicles near dry grass or other vegetation can easily ignite a wildfire.
When a person spots an escaped wildfire, don’t hesitate, call 911.
