FIRE ALERT
Wildfire danger at peak with such dry conditions
Sunny and 70 degrees.
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Tuesday was a perfect spring day for most, but not for area firefighters.
The high temperature combined with no snow on the ground, no green vegetation, low humidity and wind gusts up to 32 mph have pushed the fire danger rating to very high, meaning wild fires start easily and spread rapidly.
At the DNR's Brainerd office, firefighters were ready for a busy day Tuesday and expected more of the same Wednesday, with a forecast calling for temperatures of 68-73 degrees and winds 10-15 mph.
"Whenever we have these types of conditions we expect something is a possibility," said Mark Mortensen, DNR forester. "There's no way to anticipate yes or no, but when we have these conditions we have our personnel ready to go.
Mike Caughey (left) and Daryl Bahma, both DNR firefighters, readied a Caterpillar dozer and fire plow at the work station Tuesday.
Brainerd Dispatch/Steve Kohls
"(Tuesday) is not a day we'd anticipate wanting to go out working on something. If something does start going it's going to move pretty fast."
The Brainerd Tanker Base at the Brainerd Lakes Regional Airport is preparing for two CL-215 water bomber airplanes Wednesday. There also is a P-3 Orion retardant-dropping airplane stationed at the tanker base.
The CL-215s can't yet be loaded with water skimmed from Brainerd area lakes because of ice, but pilot Ron Goepzinger said lakes near the Twin Cities should be open by this weekend and Brainerd area lakes are not too far behind.
"This warm and windy weather will speed up the process," Goepzinger said. "I think in another week they'll start opening up here."
In the meantime, the CL-215s can be filled at the tanker base, Goepzinger said.
Carson Berglund of Minnesota Interagency Fire Center in Grand Rapids said in addition to firefighting airplanes available across northern Minnesota there are five helicopters that can be used to fight wildfires.
Co-pilot John Kerpa stood with the P-3 Orion at the DNR Air Tanker Base Tuesday at the Brainerd Lakes Regional Airport. When loaded, the retired military aircraft can hold 2,550 gallons of fire retardant.
Brainerd Dispatch/Steve Kohls
As soon as firefighting resources are available they're being utilized, Berglund said.
"It's coming on fast this year, no doubt about that. Hopefully we'll be able to keep up with it and stay with it," Berglund said. "It's very, very flashy this time of year. As soon as the snow leaves it's all dead material, which dries quickly, and the wind makes it hazardous."
Burning restrictions started Monday in Aitkin, Cass, Crow Wing, Mille Lacs, Morrison, Todd and Wadena counties. On Tuesday those same counties had a fire danger rating of very high.
Though no burning permits are being issued, small recreational fires are allowed. Recreational fires can be no bigger than 3 feet in diameter and 3 feet high in a cleared area. Mortensen said it's very important that people make sure recreational fires are out before leaving them.
"That's usually the primary cause," Mortensen said. "Fires usually don't escape while they are burning. It's usually after someone leaves it and the embers continue to burn."
Tuesday's temperature peaked at 70 degrees, one degree shy of tying the daily record set in 2005.
Mortensen noted relief could be coming in the weather. The forecast from the National Weather Service in Duluth calls for high temps of 65-70 degrees and a 20 percent chance of rain Thursday, high temps of 55-60 degrees and a 40 percent chance of rain Friday, high temps of 57-62 degrees and a 20-40 percent chance of rain Saturday and high temps of 50-55 degrees and a 30 percent chance of rain on Sunday.
MATT ERICKSON may be reached at matt.erickson@brainerddispatch.com or 855-5857.