Billowing black and grey smoke was seen Tuesday afternoon above the tree line south of Brainerd as a controlled burn was taking place in Crow Wing State Park.
It's getting to be the time of year for controlled burns and wildfires and the Minnesota DNR has been preparing its spring burning restrictions.
Craig Schultz, DNR fire team leader in the Backus area, said restrictions go into effect Monday for Crow Wing County and southern Cass County. Regular burning permits will not be issued until burning restrictions are rescinded, which is generally three to four weeks depending on weather and green-up conditions, he said. Variance burning permits may still be issued on a case-by-case basis, and will need approval by the Minnesota DNR Forestry office. Township fire Wardens cannot issue a variance burning permit.
"We've already had a couple of fires escape from people burning," Schultz said. "People need to be consistent on what they are burning and know what the current and expected weather conditions will be like. People need to practice due diligence and make sure the fire is out cold before they leave it unattended."
Schultz said the DNR office receives numerous calls on fire each year caused from negligent acts.
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"The grasses are dry and ... people may get a false impression that if there is a little snow in the woods that things are not that dry, but they are and fire can spread pretty quickly on a dry grass or a leaf on a windy day."
Camp Ripley experienced this on Tuesday, as a fire started while they were training on their "Leach Impact Area." Crews had to stop training and control the burn on the impact area.
A burning permit grants a homeowner the right to burn small amounts of dry leaves, plant clippings, brush and clean untreated-unpainted wood as long as weather conditions do not pose a fire hazard. People can obtain a permit at any DNR forestry office, fire warden or online at https://webapps8.dnr.state.mn.us/burning_permits/ to purchase a permit.
According to the DNR, a permit is not needed for
• A "campfire," a fire set for cooking, warming or ceremonial purposes, which is not more than 3 feet in diameter by 3 feet high, and has had the ground 5 feet from the base of the fire cleared of all combustible material.
• When the ground is snow-covered.
• For a fire contained in a charcoal grill, camp stove or other device designed for cooking or heating.
• For a fire in an approved burner and there is no combustible material within 5 feet of the base of the burner, and it is in use between the 6 p.m. and 8 a.m.
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People can learn more about burning restrictions on the DNR website at www.dnr.state.mn.us/forestry/fire/questions.html or by calling the local DNR Forestry office at 218-203-4300.
