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Minnesota’s wildland fire management agencies report an increase in wildfire activity this spring, responding to nearly 900 wildland fires. With the entire state in high fire danger, the Minnesota Interagency Fire Center reminds the public to report escaped wildfires immediately.
Not only do escape wildfires threaten property and damage timber and wildlife habitat too often, but they also result in preventable injuries, or worse. If a debris burn or campfire gets out of control, or you spot a wildfire, call 911.
What may seem like a harmless debris clean-up or an evening campfire can easily escape as a wildfire in the current dry conditions. Warm, sunny, and windy days increase the potential for peak wildfire activity in dry grasses and pine needles, which can quickly turn from a small fire into an escaped wildfire.
Every year, we learn of people who have suffered burns attempting to control an escaped fire on their own,” said William Glesener, Minnesota Interagency Fire Center. “Wildland firefighters are trained for quick and safe response to suppress fires.”
As the summer season approaches under drier conditions, Glesener urges Minnesotans to make it a goal to be safe and careful with any open flames. Trained firefighters would rather suppress a wildfire safely than learn about a preventable injury or, worse yet, a loss of life. Should an open fire escape, never hesitate to call 911.
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