Drought Conditions Create High Fire Risk in Hennepin County
The National Weather Service issued a red flag warning for much of Minnesota, including Hennepin County, on Saturday due to conditions at high risk for fire. That warning has passed now, but drought conditions remapin.
“Since the beginning of the year, the DNR has responded to over 200 wildfires,” said Karen Harrison, DNR wildlife preservation specialist. “It is unusual that we’ve had so many this early and that we are seeing those red flag conditions early.”
Harrison said with these conditions, it is easier for fields to go up in flames. Gesturing to a field in Elm Creek Park Reserve, she said the grass is stiff and standing up straight.
Harrison explained that dry grasslands is one piece of the puzzle for a high wildfire risk.
“There is a lot more oxygen between the grasses, and oxygen is one of the three things fire needs. Oxygen, fuel and a heat source,” Harrison explained.
The biggest concern now is brush and wildfires. Even in suburbs like Maple Grove, there is a risk, especially with its large parks.
“When we have a wind-driven fire, it ends up being more than just our local resources. We end up calling in the neighbors,” said Maple Grove Fire Chief Tim Bush.
Wind and Recreational Fires
While wildfires are the main concern, Bush said backyard campfires are banned within the city when winds blow faster than 10 miles per hour.
People are required to apply for a recreational fire permit each year in Maple Grove. Burning yard waste, on the other hand, is not allowed.
“We’ve had a number of check burn calls, it’s typically somebody that is trying to burn yard waste, which is not allowed. It hasn’t been allowed since 1969 in Hennepin County,” Bush said.
When the National Weather Service issues a red flag warning, that means temperatures are warm, humidity is high and strong winds are expected.
“Until we get the spring green-up, it’s going to be extremely dry outside,” Bush said. “This year, we didn’t have the snow we typically do, so it’s even drier.”
Bush advises saving the backyard fire for later, and keeping smoking materials contained.
“Simple things, like throwing a smoking material out of a moving vehicle can cause problems,” Bush said.
Red flag warning or not, the severe dry spell has fire departments on alert.
Recreational fire permits are different for each city. Details about each city’s permit process are available on their websites.
