Abnormally Dry Conditions Cause Concern

Submitted by newsherald on Fri, 08/29/2008 - 10:37am

Wildfire suppression officials are concerned about potential fire danger since much of Minnesota has been unusually dry since mid-June. 

The weather has significantly impacted the drying of forest fuels in the state. Though some Minnesota communities and the North Shore received significant rain in the past 24 hours, much of the state remains extremely dry, including much of the western portion of the Arrowhead Region in northeast Minnesota. 

Due to the dry conditions, Lake, Cook, and St. Louis counties have burning restrictions in effect, as well as southern Beltrami, Cass and Crow Wing counties. These restrictions are for open burning and do not restrict campfires on state and private property. The Superior National Forest does have additional restrictions in effect for a portion of the BWCAW affected by the 1999 blowdown storm.

A period of warmer than normal temperatures and below normal rainfall is predicted along with increasing windy conditions through the holiday weekend and into next week.  

People enjoying barbeques or campfires during the Labor Day weekend are urged to be extra careful and never leave a fire unattended. People enjoying barbeques or campfires during the Labor Day weekend are urged to be extra careful and never leave a fire unattended.