Tips to Protect Yourself & Property During Minnesota’s Wildfire Season

The National Interagency Fire Center has put Minnesota on notice; saying we should expect elevated wildfire danger over the next couple of months. Warmer than normal temperatures, lack of snow cover, and dry vegetation all combine to create an increased risk.

The Minnesota Department of Natural Resources has burning restrictions of some level across all 87 counties of the state.

Recent snow and rain have eased current fire danger for a large part of the state, but things can dry out rapidly if precipitation falls back below normal rates.

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There’s high potential for a lot of wildfires in Minnesota this spring.

Last year, Minnesota had 813 wildfires covering approximately 8,663 acres.

Over the last 10 years there was an average of 1,186 wildfires per year. In just the last week and half the DNR has responded to 45 wildfires covering approximately 545 acres. It’s important for the DNR to monitor statewide fire danger and develop a plan to be ready to fight wildfires when and if they start.

While this map says its for March, the graphics are the same for Minnesota, northern Iowa, and northern Wisconsin for April and May as well.

Over 90% of wildfires are human caused. As a homeowner in Minnesota, you may not realize that wildfires are a threat, but the potential is real. Minnesota has more than 2,200 wildfires a year.

Minnesota has adopted the National Firewise USA program, which works with homeowners and communities to help prepare for and prevent catastrophic wildfires.

Never is the saying more true than when talking about wildfires in Minnesota: "An ounce of prevention is worth more than a pound of cure."