Posted: 4/25/07
Plumes of spring create concern in area
 Current fire danger levels in Minnesota. Chisago County is yellow. |
By MaryHelen Swanson
On Tuesday evening, April 17, a large grayish-white plume of smoke seen east of Rush City concerned many citizens. Because of the clear sky, it was visible for miles.
In and around Rush City, in the past week or two, there have been multiple grass fires, which have also concerned citizens, especially those new to the area.
According to Rush City Fire Chief Bob Carlson, the smoke on Tuesday evening came from a prescribed burn at a game refuge in Wisconsin.
Each year, he noted, they burn off the land early in spring for two reasons: to improve the habitat for the animals and for the regeneration of wildflowers. Killing off the early grasses offers a better habitat for the wildflowers that come a little later in the season, he said.
As for the burning in Rush City, Carlson said it is done each year to clean up the ditches and to get rid of hazardous areas.
These controlled burns, he said, are done by preparing a plan and running it through the Department of Natural Resources (DNR) and is done according to the rules of burning restrictions, after 6 p.m. and with notification of the local fire warden.
It is possible that other Wisconsin refuge fires' smoke may be seen from burning that takes place annually at Crex Meadows northeast of Grantsburg.
Jean Bergerson, Minnesota Interagency Fire Center information officer explains the difference between a restriction and burning ban.
Burning restrictions involve the issuing of burning permits. Burning permits are required for running fires, such as a grassy ditch or field, or piled vegetative debris. When restrictions are in place, permits are only issued for management or prescribed burns, or special burns such as construction companies burning trees and brush cleared from roads.
Burning bans, which are issued by the DNR commissioner, prohibit other types of fires. For example, bans may disallow campfires completely or restrict them certain hours of the day. They may also restrict any fire outdoors, including smoking and barbecue grills. Bans are only imposed when extreme fire conditions have existed for a long period of time.
For Chisago County, as of Monday, April 23, the burning restrictions are by special permits only.
©ECM Post Review
6448 Main Street
North Branch, MN 55056
Telephone: 651-674-7025
Fax: 651-674-7026
E-mail: editor.postreview@ecm-inc.com