Video: Wildfire prevention week brings risk reminders
Apr 21, 2020 05:50AM ● By EditorWatch the WDIO-TV Report here
By Brandon Weathers of WDIO-TV - April 21, 2020
Wildfires pose a serious threat to public safety, property, and natural resources. The week of April 19 is dedicated to wildfire prevention in Minnesota and Wisconsin.
Every spring we hear the reminders, and every spring fires start that could have been prevented.
City of Duluth Fire Marshal Sandy McComb said, "The drier it is, the easier it is to start a fire. And then you add that wind on top of it that can easily blow into your campfire and take away a little ember and drop down on something that's very easy to start on fire, and then continue to grow.
When starting a campfire, it should only use clean, dry wood. McComb said, "It's really important that we're considerate to our neighbors as well, but we are getting quite a few complaints of people burning garbage, they're burning papers, which causes stinky, black smoke also."
We should be considerate, not only to our neighbors, but to our already taxed emergency response workers. This is why burning permits are not allowed during the COVID-19 outbreak.
"don't burn your brush, don't burn your leaves, just be really smart about it," McComb said, "If we can get our message out there, that if we're being safe with our recreational fires, then there's a good chance that we can prevent something."
The DNR updates current fire risks for Minnesota and Wisconsin daily.
To read the original article and see related reporting, follow this link to the WDIO-TV website. https://www.wdio.com/weather/wildfire-prevention-week-brings-risk-reminders/5706320/?cat=10335
