Fire Danger

[DaveSorensen]

The following is the most current report from the DNR, this was issued to be in effect 5/18, for all of Cook, Lake and St. Louis counties:

1. No burning permits shall be issued other than special exceptions approved by the state or federal agency having suppression responsibilities;

2. Recreational fires** are not allowed other than gas and propane fired camp stoves, grills, and similar devices (charcoal is not permitted);

3. Fireworks** are not to be ignited outside of the legal boundaries of municipalities and shall be under control of that municipality;

4. No welding, acetylene torches, explosives or other devices with open flame** are allowed in forest areas except under special permit; and

5. Recreational use of Off Highway Vehicles (OHVs) on state and county forest land is restricted to the surface of currently open forest roads.

It's still pretty dry out there, even with everything greening up now.

This is the official DNR link:

http://files.dnr.state.mn.us/forestry/wildfire/comm_closure_order2-5-15-2007.pdf

[shamrock7]

You can not legally use charcoal. You can use a propane or gas grill. We did get some rain but not enough to make much of a difference. Starting today, you can't even ride a 4 wheeler in the woods as the exhaust can start a fire.

[shamrock7]

Oh, one other thing that everyone needs to be aware of is the fireworks situation. Fireworks are more dangerous than the charcoal as far as I'm concerned. But fireworks are also illegal and prohibited with this ban. IF you see someone shooting off fireworks, treat it as if there was someone burning there, call 911 or your local forester.

[vermilionfox]

Thanks Shamrock.

We may have to do some new planning for our trip, just wanted to fully understand what the ban entailed.

Hopefully there will be some rain!

[vermilionwally]

Have you guys gotten any rain up there the past two days? We got over an inch down here.

[heartattack22]

2.25 inches today...and its still raining. Lake is coming up. Fire danger is going down...for now.

[vermilionwally]

Thats good to hear. Im watching the news right now and there saying that tommorow and wednesday will be more interesting with severe weather. It quit raining here about an hour and a half ago.

[Birch PT Mike]

Good news I called DNR Forestry in Grand Rapids and while no fire permits are being issued for St Louis County, we can now use charcoal grills. Please be safe

[shamrock7]

I checked with the local foresters in Tower and we are in kind of a weird fire restriction (Class IIIA) with the DNR going to revisit the restriction again on Friday.

Open burning is still probibited but you can now have a cooking fire in an approved fire ring associated with a residence dwelling, campground, resort or BWCAW.

Hopefully we will see these regulations loosened up on Friday but as of the end of today, we have had no measurable rain since Monday.

[Silver Scale]

Here's the latest news release.

The Rainfall received this past weekend over much of northern Minnesota has moderated fire danger for the short term and brought needed relief to weary fire fighters. Rainfall amounts received across Minnesota varied from a trace to almost two inches. Given the rainfall amounts received, the Department of Natural Resources will ease the burning restrictions across much of northern Minnesota.

Specifically, campfires are again allowed across the northern third of Minnesota (although in Lake, Cook and St. Louis counties they must be within a designated fire receptacle associated with a residence, campground or resort.) Campfires are NOT allowed in dispersed campsites, including the BWCAW. The OHV restrictions that limited travel to the road surfaces of currently open forest roads in Lake, Cook and St. Louis counties are also relaxed. In addition, operations including welding, and acetylene torches with an open flame will once again be allowed. Restrictions on other types of open burning in the northern third of the state will remain in effect until further notice.

The Superior National Forest is issuing similar restrictions for forest lands.

[Aces In The Hole]

Thanks for the update Silver Scale! You answered alot of questions we had about campfires on Vermilion. Again Thanks!

[SkunkedAgain]

A great place to check out is the DNR website. In the center of the page is a link next to the current conditions that says "Wildfire Information." You'll find out everything about current restrictions, etc.

[PSU]

Could someone help me out with what is a "designated fire recepticle?" We have a point on our property with a cleared out probably 20'x20' camping area, including a cabin about 300 feet away. I planned this weekend to build a fire pit (probably 2'x2' round into the ground about a foot)with a solid ring of rocks 2'x2'. I am as concerned about fires as anyone and really not sure if I would build one anyway. Would this be permitted? I think I read it needs to be 5' away from any sort of brush, i.e. dead twigs, leaves, etc.

Thanks for any insight.

[Cliff Wagenbach]

PSU,

The plans for the fire pit you want to build sound very safe to me. Much better than many fire pits that are in use every day.

Just keep it away from any flamable material that could catch fire and spread it to the woods.

Randy will be able to give you much better info. as to what is the best way to build a safe fire pit.

Cliff

[shamrock7]

Your plan sounds like a good one. The one thing that you have to consider is "Is this a previously burned area?" If so, you are good to go. If not, do not attempt to burn anything in the area until we get enough rain to saturate the ground. The problem is that the roots of near-by trees (and even some that are not so close) will start to burn and will smolder underground for weeks sometimes, acting like a fuse, bringing the fire up into fresh fuels to start a real fire. We see this happen almost every year. Education is the only thing to stop it.

Here is an address with a lot of info on burning.

http://www.dnr.state.mn.us/forestry/fire/questions.html

I think they will be altering the restrictions again tommorrow.

Hope everyone has an enjoyable and safe weekend.

[shamrock7]

Looks like we are close to being normal on precipitation. Had a structure fire that really got going Friday night and it didn't advance into the woods at all. I would expect to see some changes in the burning restrictions come Tuesday.

[SledNeck]

At the VERY LEAST fires in the BWCA should now be allowed from 9pm-12midnite.

[SledNeck]

Still waiting for BWCA fire ban to come off. Unless someones knows something I dont.

[shamrock7]

I really expected something to happen today, but it didn't. You can watch the web site listed at the front on this thread. It's updated around 11:00 every day to see when the bans are altered or dropped.

[SledNeck]

I keep checking the site.

I remember how govt agencies work from my days in the military.

[SkunkedAgain]

My place had 2" in the rain gauge last Thursday (who knows how long that was there) and we got 1.5" over the weekend. The lake level looked good so hopefully the restrictions will ease soon.

[shamrock7]

Just talked to a Tower DNR representative and was told that the restrictions should go off tommorrow. It will take a day or so for the information to get out.

[SledNeck]

BWCA allowing fires from 7pm-12 midnite

[shamrock7]

Burning permits can be issued as usual starting Thursday noon. As usual, burning times for permits restricted to 6:00PM thru 8:00 AM All permit fires must be completely out by 8:00 AM

Now we should be able to let this thread rest in peace. ( for a while anyway.