Fire conditions in Borderland same as areas experiencing raging wildfires

“The big fire that pushed smoke and ash onto us (Wednesday) — we could have certainly seen that same fire activity here,” he said Thursday. “We were in the same general conditions. It’s just that something started a fire there and it didn’t happen here.”

The two large fires and several smaller ones centered in the Karlstad and Baudette areas have consumed more than 40,000 acres so far, resulting in evacuations, lost homes and burned structures, according to the DNR.

Area law enforcement agencies received many calls from Borderland residents concerned about the smoke and the location of the fires that were causing it.

Borderland fared remarkably well during the high fire danger caused by dry conditions and high winds experienced in northern Minnesota in recent days, said Handrick.

“We haven’t had a fire since about a week and a half ago,” he said. “We have not had any of the large fires by any means.”

Rain and snow forecast for the end of this week may provide a reprieve from the fire danger in the short term, he said.

“But another stretch of sunny, dry days and we will be right back into the fire danger,” he said. Precipitation in Borderland is about 7 inches below what is normal for the last 12 months, he said.

“It will take a lot of precipitation to make up for that,” he said. “Hopefully, we will get back into the normal fall pattern and get rain and we won’t have to worry about fire.”

Handrick encouraged people to “continue to be smart about fires like they have been” and to report any fires to officials with a 911 call.

For information about current burning restrictions, visit the DNR website at www.dnr.state.mn.us/forestry/fire/firerating_restrictions.html. The website Thursday showed that no burning permits are allowed in Koochiching County, but campfires continued to be allowed.

The DNR and the Minnesota Incident Command System has asked for the help and cooperation of the public statewide to help prevent and minimize fire danger, which is at a seasonal all-time high in much of Minnesota since automated local records have been kept.

“We have a unique and dangerous combination of fires that are not yet well contained up north, and a serious fire risk in the south that will continue to challenge local emergency response resources if additional fires should start,” said DNR Commissioner Tom Landwehr.

The extremely high winds on Tuesday intensified widespread drought conditions, dry vegetation and persistent low humidity, which even grounded some aerial firefighting resources.

Precautions urged

Under such conditions, Landwehr urges all Minnesotans to take precautions that include:

• Exercise caution in all agricultural operations and avoid operations in fields and roadsides until fire danger improves — particularly the mowing of dry fields and lawns. Sparks from mowers can easily ignite dry grass. Monitor weather conditions and conduct fall operations during periods of higher humidity and low winds.

• Avoid target shooting, particularly the use of the popular new “exploding targets.” Firing guns and hitting exploding targets present a high risk for wildfires.

• If possible, do not run motor vehicles or other heavy equipment in dry fields. The heat of the engine and exhaust system can cause fires especially in tall grass.

• Follow all burning restrictions. Campfires and other open burning are prohibited in several areas of the state. Check the DNR website for current information.

• Carry a fire extinguisher when operating machinery in dry areas.

• Have a family and business emergency response plan ready in case fire threatens an area near you.

• Immediately call 911 if a fire is ignited and move to a safe location. Attempting to extinguish fires under our current conditions can be extremely hazardous without proper personal protection.