Fire danger is high in Borderland as a result of an extended drought. On Tuesday, planes working for the Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources skimmed the surface of Rainy Lake’s Sand Bay filling their tanks with water to drop on fires just north of the Minnesota-Ontario border.
Resource officials, including the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources and Voyageurs National Park, have done their part to educate area residents and visitors about the need for caution when dealing with fire, or activity that could spark flames.
Travelers along Highway 11 East need only to look at the DNR’s signs near the roadway to find out the status of the fire danger. The signs lists it as high. And a simple look at yards in our area is evidence enough of how dry it is. Many lawns without the benefit of a sprinkling system are turning brown and feel crunchy beneath bare feet.
Smokey Bear has for years urged people to take responsibility for their actions in preventing forest fires. And that makes sense.
Each of us must think about our activities and whether they may spark a fire. If you’re running a chain saw or mowing grass, there is a potential to spark a fire. Consider whether it would be best to wait for a less dry period or take precautions such as keeping water hoses and buckets ready and easily accessible.
It doesn’t take much to start a fire. We doubt the late-night driver traveling east on Highway 11 Monday even thought about the risk to life and property when a lit cigarette butt was thrown from the vehicle, bouncing off the pavement to the grassy side of the road.
Thankfully the butt did not result in a fire, but it could have.
We urge people to think about the potential for sparking a fire at this extremely dry time in Borderland. And, remember what Smokey Bear says, “Only you, can prevent forest fires.”
