Whether or not to maintain a municipal burn pile was a hot topic last summer, but the issue cooled down when winter arrived. It may flare up once again, after the Grand Marais Fire Department was paged to the burn pile at 2:05 p.m. on Monday, June 13 because the fire was starting to get out of control.
Apparently the fire was lit and monitored periodically through the day by city workers. During an unattended period, the fire spread into previously burned sections of the clearing. According to Aaron Mielke, a Minnesota Department of Natural Resources (DNR) fire fighter, who is also a volunteer on the Grand Marais Fire Department, the fire had reached the edge of the clearing, where there was a “jackpot of fuels.”
Mielke said the city, like any other property owner, is required to contact the DNR when it burns. In fact, he said the city’s permit conditions are fairly stringent because of its proximity to the homes, the hospital and school. The city did not notify the DNR.
Mielke said although they should have contacted the DNR, no citation was issued for that. He said he likely would have issued a permit, as conditions were good for burning. The city attempts to burn when winds will blow the smoke up the hill, away from town.
DNR Conservation Officer Darin Fagerman said a citation was issued for an unattended fire, which carries a fine of $140.
Asked for the city’s response to the ticket, City Administrator Mike Roth said, “We are currently investigating the circumstances that led to this and we are taking steps to ensure it doesn’t happen again. We’re very, very glad that it wasn’t worse than it was.”
Will this fuel the discussion of whether the city should have a municipal burn pile? Roth said absolutely. “This is probably the last time we have a fire at this location. The council had already begun the discussion about moving it.”
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