Spring burning restrictions in Stearns and Wright counties will go into effect at 8 a.m. Thursday, April 1. Meeker County is not included in the restrictions. Burning restrictions are designed to reduce the number of wildfires caused by the burning of vegetative debris piles that escape control. “We’re asking residents to use alternative methods of debris disposal in April and May, such as composting, chipping, or just letting large brush piles sit for wildlife use or until it is safe to burn them,” said George Meadows, DNR fire prevention specialist. A burning restriction is not the same as a burning ban. A restriction limits the issuance of permits needed for burning projects when there is less than three inches of snow on the ground. A ban is issued by the DNR Commissioner, and prohibits the use of fire ignition activities. Bans are only issued under the most severe of conditions, such as a drought. Once restrictions are in place, they will continue for four to six weeks, or until vegetation greens up enough to significantly lower the fire danger. The DNR can issue a limited number of permits through a variance process during the restriction period. “Each permit application is reviewed separately,” said Mea-dows. “These permits are only awarded for situations such as prescribed fires conducted by trained fire personnel, burning for approved agricultural practices and construction or economic hardship burning for which there is no feasible alternative.” Additional information regarding spring burning restrictions can be found on the DNR’s Web site at www.dnr.state.mn.us/forestry/fire.
