05-03-2007, 06:10 AM
Although burning restrictions have been placed on much of the state, campfires and fires contained in a charcoal grill, camp stove or other device designed for the purpose of cooking or heating are still allowed, according to the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources (DNR).
"There has been some confusion about recreational fires being allowed because of the request made last week by the Minnesota Department of Agriculture (MDA) to immediately burn any Taylors-brand firewood purchased at Menards and other major hardware stores in Minnesota," said Bob Tomlinson, DNR Forestry Division deputy director. "Knowing that burning restrictions are in effect in much of the state, but then hearing that some firewood should be burned immediately, has some people wondering about what is the right thing to do."
A warm and dry Saturday and Sunday this past weekend encouraged people to get outside and enjoy the weather, but it placed much of Minnesota in a "very high" to "extreme" fire danger rating. Burning restrictions are in effect for all counties from northern Minnesota south to Ramsey, Hennepin and Washington counties.
Even though restrictions are in place, campfires are still allowed. A "campfire" is defined as a fire set for cooking, warming or ceremonial purposes that is not more than 3 feet wide or 3 feet high, and has the ground 5 feet from the base of the fire cleared of all combustible material. Fires contained in a charcoal grill, camp stove or other device designed for the purpose of cooking or heating are also allowed.
Caution must still be used with campfires, however. It is best to burn only after 6 p.m. and to make sure the fire is "dead out" and doused with water before leaving it.
The request for consumers to immediately burn any Taylors-brand firewood is part of an ongoing effort of the MDA to prevent the introduction of the destructive tree pest known as the emerald ash borer (EAB) into Minnesota. MDA made the request after learning that firewood sold under the Taylors-brand had been improperly imported into the state from areas under an EAB quarantine. To date, EAB has not been detected in Minnesota.
"EAB can hide inside firewood, so imported firewood coming from EAB-infested states must be debarked to lower the risk of spreading the pest," said Val Cervenka, a DNR forest entomologist. The MDA found firewood sold under the Taylors-brand that was not debarked.
To make matters even more confusing, the DNR is asking people to purchase firewood they want to use when camping or picnicking from the DNR facility they will be visiting or from a local vendor, and not to bring it from home.
"We know this issue of EAB and firewood can be confusing," said Tomlinson, "but state and federal agencies are working together not only on what to do about this pest, but also on how the public can be made aware of it and what to do about it."
For more information on the wildfire danger and EAB situation in Minnesota, visit the DNR's Web site at www.dnr.state.mn.us.
"There has been some confusion about recreational fires being allowed because of the request made last week by the Minnesota Department of Agriculture (MDA) to immediately burn any Taylors-brand firewood purchased at Menards and other major hardware stores in Minnesota," said Bob Tomlinson, DNR Forestry Division deputy director. "Knowing that burning restrictions are in effect in much of the state, but then hearing that some firewood should be burned immediately, has some people wondering about what is the right thing to do."
A warm and dry Saturday and Sunday this past weekend encouraged people to get outside and enjoy the weather, but it placed much of Minnesota in a "very high" to "extreme" fire danger rating. Burning restrictions are in effect for all counties from northern Minnesota south to Ramsey, Hennepin and Washington counties.
Even though restrictions are in place, campfires are still allowed. A "campfire" is defined as a fire set for cooking, warming or ceremonial purposes that is not more than 3 feet wide or 3 feet high, and has the ground 5 feet from the base of the fire cleared of all combustible material. Fires contained in a charcoal grill, camp stove or other device designed for the purpose of cooking or heating are also allowed.
Caution must still be used with campfires, however. It is best to burn only after 6 p.m. and to make sure the fire is "dead out" and doused with water before leaving it.
The request for consumers to immediately burn any Taylors-brand firewood is part of an ongoing effort of the MDA to prevent the introduction of the destructive tree pest known as the emerald ash borer (EAB) into Minnesota. MDA made the request after learning that firewood sold under the Taylors-brand had been improperly imported into the state from areas under an EAB quarantine. To date, EAB has not been detected in Minnesota.
"EAB can hide inside firewood, so imported firewood coming from EAB-infested states must be debarked to lower the risk of spreading the pest," said Val Cervenka, a DNR forest entomologist. The MDA found firewood sold under the Taylors-brand that was not debarked.
To make matters even more confusing, the DNR is asking people to purchase firewood they want to use when camping or picnicking from the DNR facility they will be visiting or from a local vendor, and not to bring it from home.
"We know this issue of EAB and firewood can be confusing," said Tomlinson, "but state and federal agencies are working together not only on what to do about this pest, but also on how the public can be made aware of it and what to do about it."
For more information on the wildfire danger and EAB situation in Minnesota, visit the DNR's Web site at www.dnr.state.mn.us.