The Minnesota Department of Natural Resources is warning of a dangerous spring for wildfires.

The agency said the wildfire season is starting earlier. A lack of snow and warmer temperatures have already helped produce a number of fires across the state.

“We’re more or less four to six weeks ahead of schedule for what I would call the start of our spring fire season, and we’re already there,” said Travis Verdegan, the Minnesota DNR predictive services coordinator.

As of Friday, March 1, Verdegan said there have been 58 wildfires over the past two weeks across Minnesota.

While snow from the recent blizzard in the area has made for a minor improvement in the short term, dry conditions dating back to summer are signaling the increasing trend of wildfires will continue statewide.

“To have the level of activity that we’ve seen already, and to start that early is abnormal,” Verdegan said.

The National Interagency Fire Center is predicting above normal wildland fire risk for Minnesota for March, April and May, due to drier than normal conditions and above normal temperatures forecast. (National Interagency Coordination Center)

Caution needed

Patrick Waletzko, the emergency manager for Otter Tail County, said the current conditions mean people need to be extra careful when enjoying the warmer weather.

“Be very cautious when you’re looking at the materials, equipment that you’re using. Can they generate a spark? Certainly we encourage people not to be burning at this point in time,” Waletzko said.

Another way to help with prevention is to take a look at any recent burnings.

“Double-check any burn piles that were burnt over the winter. They may have been burnt with snow on, but those ashes can stay hot. We have documented cases where we have fires that have come from piles that were burnt months before,” Verdegan said.

Waletzko said Otter Tail County will be increasing its messaging regarding wildfire safety. He said the most important tip is to make sure people are signed up for emergency notifications so they can be safe when wildfires happen.

“Whether it’s through your county-specific emergency notification system, national weather service tools, local media — just being in the know is our biggest piece,” Waletzko said.

A wildfire happened in the area as recently as Thursday, Feb. 29, in Rothsay. The fire chief told WDAY News the grass fire in a ditch along Interstate 94 was knocked down quickly, and they have yet to determine what started it.

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