Fire danger remains High in Minnesota, Moderate for Wisconsin

As we approach the long, holiday weekend, residents should be aware of current fire danger and burning restrictions in their area. This is the first big holiday weekend following the May 11-12 start dates of the wildfires in St. Louis and Lake counties, as well as a number of smaller fires that popped up across the Northland.

On Friday, the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources provided an update to the Fire Danger situation across the state. The DNR shows the Arrowhead of Minnesota, as well as northern Koochiching County and Carlton County to be under High fire danger. At this classification, fires can start easily and quickly spread.

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There is still no open burning allowed for Carlton, St. Louis, Itasca and Koochiching Counties in Minnesota. According to the DNR, campfires are allowed.

Conditions are improved in Wisconsin, with Douglas, Bayfield, Burnett and Washburn counties in the Moderate fire danger zone. Most of the rest of the state is at Low Fire danger. Burning permits are required in all counties at this time.

Minnesota has adopted the National Firewise USA program to work with homeowners and communities to prevent possible wildfires. Details at: https://www.dnr.state.mn.us/firewise/livingwithfire/index.html

Memorial Day weekend could be a great time to check to see if your home is Firewise. Officials suggest that homeowners in wildland spaces and near wooded areas creating a defensible space around your home. Look for substantial amount of tall vegetation crowding your home. Do you have tree limbs that extend over your home? One area of concern is to make sure your driveway provides ample access for firefighters to get to your home if needed.

The Minnesota DNR says to start by dividing your property into three zones: Immediate (0-5 feet), Intermediate (5-30 feet), and Extended (30-100 feet).

Immediate zone
The first is the immediate zone – within 5 feet of the structure. The home will likely be lost if a wildfire is allowed to reach this zone. Fire can reach this zone by traveling on the ground through flammable materials such as tall grass, wooden walkways, and fences or by flying embers from a nearby fire that catches fire in materials within this zone.

Intermediate zone
The next zone includes everything from 5 to 30 feet of the structure. Any decks or outbuildings inside this zone are considered part of the structure and extend the zone 30 feet beyond them. If properly landscaped, this zone can prevent a wildfire from reaching the structure zone.

Extended zone
The third zone is the extended zone. It extends 100 feet beyond structures and is generally where the woods or other wild areas are. This area is where excess fuel, such as downed trees, heavy brush, and dense conifer plantations, should be reduced.

Here are some quick tips provided in the 50 things you can do to protect your home from Firewise,

• Move firewood pile out of your home.
• Clean your roof and gutters of leaves and pine needles.
• Clear the view of your house number so it can be seen from the street.
• Put a hose (at least 100 feet long) on a rack and attach it to an outside faucet.
• Trim all branches that overhang your house and trim all branches from within 20 feet of all chimneys.
• Make the driveway at least 12 feet wide.
• Prune branches that overhang the driveway to 14 foot overhead clearance.
• Maintain a green lawn for 30 feet around the home.
• Have an escape plan that all family members know and practice.