Fire restrictions in effect until plants are green

By Matt Bewley | The Daily Journal

Published Monday, April 16, 2007

After another winter of sub-normal snowfall, and therefore quicker-than usual drying of dead grasses and brush, the Department of Natural Resources announced last week it will implement open burning restrictions.

“Above freezing temperatures in recent weeks have considerably reduced the amount of snow cover throughout the state,” DNR fire prevention specialist Larry Himanga said. “The lack of snow on the ground allows the vegetation to dry out much faster, which increases the likelihood a fire will start and spread rapidly. This year’s general lack of snow cover and continued drought will leave vegetation dryer than normal going into the spring season.”

Snowfall so far this winter has totalled 31 inches, according to the National Weather Service. This is 7.3 inches below normal for this area by this date. Last year’s total snowfall amounted to 41.7 inches.

Though this is the ninth straight year for the restriction, which prohibits any open burning of debris, it has served a valuable purpose.

“(The restrictions) are set up to reduce those accidental grass fires from debris burning, like leaves or brush. Most fire departments will tell you since the restrictions went on, their number of fire runs has reduced” DNR Forester Howard Mooney said. “That’s true for just about every fire department. Otherwise they get run ragged, responding to all these grass fires. So it’s preventing a lot of cost and work for these fire departments.”

Traditionally, April and May are months when local, state and federal agencies respond to the highest number of wildfires.

Approximately 80 percent of all wildfires in Minnesota occur during this period.

“Our problem in Minnesota is that most of our wildfires are human-caused,” Mooney said, “mostly by debris-burning, and it getting away from them.”

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.

However, these permits are confined to situations such as prescribed fires that are conducted by trained personnel, burning for approved agricultural practices and construction, or economic hardship burning for which there is no feasible alternative.

Instead of burning, the DNR recommends property owners consider other alternatives such as composting and chipping their yard debris.

“State law dictates that the costs associated with the suppression of fires that escape control are the property owner’s responsibility,” Himanga said. “By restricting unnecessary burns, we’re helping to suppress that likelihood and protect personal property and lives.”