Regional Prescribed Burn Committees are work teams that help to facilitate and coordinate prescribed burning occurring in their respective Regions. Each committee is comprised of Divisional representatives with a vested interest in prescribed burning in the region. Committee members may not necessarily be regional staff.
Responsibilities of the Regional Prescribed Burn Committees include:
- Coordinate prescribed burning in the region, prioritize those of higher complexity that compete for resources.
- Maintain a regional list of prescribed burn resources, contact numbers and qualified persons to better coordinate and share resources among the prescribed burners in the region.
- Coordinate and advance the science of prescribed burning and monitoring.
- Serve as contacts for the Regional Fire Team Leader on the availability of personnel and equipment from all divisions for suppression during periods of very high to extreme fire danger.
- Coordinate any interdivisional regional burn teams that may be initiated within a region.
- Actively enhance communication and coordination between divisions and agencies on prescribed burning
- Initiate, coordinate and implement escaped burn reviews.
- Review regional prescribed burn accomplishments annually.
Northwest Region Prescribed Burn Committee
Cindy Lueth, Chair
DNR Parks, Regional Resource Specialist
3296 State Park Rd NE
Bemidji MN 56601
218-308-2655
218-755-4024 (fax)
[email protected]
Jason Ekstein
Roving Habitat Crew Supervisor
31077 State Highway 32 S
Mentor, MN 56736
(218)289-0187
[email protected]
Shelley Hedtke
DNR EcoWaters, Regional SNA Management Specialist
1509 N. 1st Ave.
Fergus Falls, MN 56537
218-739-7576 x262
[email protected]
Blair Olson
DNR Forestry, Region Fire Specialist
2115 Birchmont Beach Road NE
Bemidji MN 56601
218-308-2364
[email protected]
Northeast Region Prescribed Burn Committee
Russell Reisz
DNR Fish and Wildlife, Aitkin Area Wildlife Manager
1200 Minnesota Ave. S
Aitkin MN 56431
218-429-3053
[email protected]
Arika Preas
SNA Naturalist, EWR
7979 Hwy 37
Eveleth, MN 55734
218-735-3971
[email protected]
Cathy Handrick
DNR Parks & Trails, Regional Resource Specialist
1201 East Hwy 2, Grand Rapids, MN 55744
218-328-8990
[email protected]
Jon Handrick
DNR Forestry, Regional Resource Specialist
1201 East Hwy 2, Grand Rapids, MN 55744
218-328-8893
[email protected]
Central Region Prescribed Burn Committee
Anton Benson
DNR Parks and Trails, Regional Resource Specialist
1200 Warner Road
St. Paul MN 55106
[email protected]
Wade Mapes
DNR Forestry
800 Oak Savanna Lane
Cambridge, MN 55008
763-284-7204
[email protected]
Russ Smith
DNR EcoWaters Resources, EWR SNA Specialist
1200 Warner Road
St. Paul MN 55106
[email protected]
Nicholas Snavely
DNR Fish and Wildlife, Assistant Area Wildlife Manager
1035 South Benton Drive
Sauk Rapids, MN 56379
320-223-7872
[email protected]
Southern Region Prescribed Burn Committee
Walt Gessler
DNR Wildlife, Area Wildlife Supervisor
Lac Qui Parle WMA
14047 20th St. NW
Watson, MN 56295
320-734-4451
[email protected]
Taylor Schenk
DNR Forestry, Assistant Supervisor
21371 State Hwy 15
New Ulm, MN 56073
507-233-1214
[email protected]
Molly Tranel Nelson
DNR Parks and Trails, Regional Resource Specialist
21371 St. Hwy. 15
New Ulm, MN 56073
507-233-1226
[email protected]
Brad Bolduan
DNR Ecological and Water Resources
175 County Rd 26
Windom, MN 56101
507-832-6041
[email protected]