The Minnesota Department of Natural Resources encourages Minnesotans to check for lingering heat from campfires, burn piles, and ash removed from wood stoves or heaters.
“Dirt, ash and snow can insulate embers, allowing fires to smolder for days, weeks or even months.” said Karen Harrison, wildfire prevention specialist. “On a dry, windy day, embers can be fanned into flames, escape into nearby dead grass, and quickly become a fast-moving wildfire.”
If people need to burn vegetation, it’s safest to do so while there’s still snow on the ground. If there is less than 3 inches of continuous snow on the ground, a burning permit is required for any fire larger than 3 feet wide by 3 feet high. People should always monitor fires and fully extinguish them by drowning the fire with water or snow, stirring the ashes and repeating until it’s cold. If a fire does rekindle or escape, the person responsible can be liable for any damages and wildfire suppression costs.
When getting rid of yard waste, the DNR encourages Minnesotans to compost, chip or take the waste to a collection site, instead of burning. Visit the DNR’s guide on composting for woodland owners for more information.
Every spring, the DNR sets burning permit restrictions that apply after the snow melts until fire danger conditions improve. Spring burning restrictions have decreased wildfires by 30% over the past decade. For information and daily updates on current fire risk and burning restrictions, visit the statewide fire danger and burning restrictions page of the DNR website.