Cook County residents are again reminded to be extremely careful with fire this spring. County burning restrictions will take effect on May 2.
The Minnesota Department of Natural Resources (DNR) reported a grass fire just east of Grand Rapids, which led to the destruction of a barn and shed the evening of April 21 even in cool and damp conditions.
A landowner burned approximately 1.5 acres of grass near a barn and shed in an effort to remove fuels from the area to protect structures. Unfortunately, the fire got away from the landowner and started the barn on fire. The DNR and fire departments from Coleraine, Bovey, and Grand Rapids responded to control the blaze. The barn was totally destroyed.
According to Mike Aultman, DNR Deer River Forestry, there was some spotting from the fire between 50 and 75 feet away from the barn. Firefighters were able to control those fires.
Ron Stoffel, DNR Wildfire Suppression Supervisor in Grand Rapids, said grasses dry out very quickly in the spring, especially when temperatures rise and wind increases, allowing fires to spread rapidly.
The DNR places burning restrictions each spring to reduce the occurrence of wildfires. These restrictions dramatically reduce the number of human caused wildfires, which account for 98 percent of all wildfires in Minnesota. Burning restrictions took effect April 15 in central Minnesota including the metro area; on April 22 for much of northern Minnesota; and will take effect in Lake of the Woods, Koochiching, St. Louis, Lake and Cook counties on May 2.
Campfires are still allowed if they are kept to three feet in diameter and three feet tall and are attended at all times.
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