×

(KNSI) — Now until May marks the most dangerous period of the year for wildfires in Central Minnesota. State Prevention Specialist Allissa Reynolds says melting snow and cold temperatures mask some potentially combustible conditions.

“Our fire season extends from March, April, and May between the time the snow melts and the grass greens up in the spring. The reason for that is the low humidities and then that dry vegetation, the dead vegetation from the previous year, is drying out in the spring.”

The DNR lists all nearby counties as being under low risk as of Tuesday, but the Foley Fire Department was forced to respond to its first brush blaze of the year last night. Burn permits are required throughout the region for anything over three feet in height. Reynolds gives some tips to make sure that you have put out a controlled fire properly.

“The most important thing is to have a water source nearby, whether that’s a bucket of water or a hose, and then a shovel and just douse that fire completely, mix it around, and make sure it’s out cold. When I say cold, it’s actually cold…you can’t feel any heat coming from those coals or from that soil.”

You can apply for a burn permit through select municipal offices, or the DNR’s website. A link is here.

Copyright 2022 Leighton Enterprises, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be broadcast, published, redistributed, or rewritten, in any way without consent.