St. Paul , Minnesota –
September is on track as the worst for wildfires in Minnesota since 1998, prompting the DNR to announce new fire restrictions for 22 counties.
Officials say that in the first two weeks of the month, 138 wildfires were reported statewide. That’s more than double the average of 63 for September.
The Minnesota DNR’s website says that “the severe drought has brought wildfire conditions to the point that fires start easily from sparks or windblown embers and spread rapidly. Without the ability to use water to drown campfires, it will be difficult to properly extinguish them.”
Beginning Sunday, Sept. 23, no new burning permits will be issued, fireworks are banned, and campfires will only be allowed in designated firepits and rings at homes and staffed campgrounds.
The counties with new fire restrictions going into place on Sunday include:
Becker, Beltrami, Benton, Cass, Clearwater, Douglas, Hubbard, Kanabec, Kittson, Lake of the Woods, Mahnomen, Marshall, Mille Lacs, Morrison, Otter Tail, Pennington, Polk, Red Lake, Roseau, Stearns, Todd, and Wadena.
