Rain in forecast will only temporarily dampen fire season

Rain forecast to spread across Minnesota in the next couple of days could temporarily ease wildfire danger, but Jean Goad with the Minnesota Interagency Fire Center said rain won't end the fire season.

Small wildfires continue to keep Minnesota firefighters busy. Twenty-seven were reported on Friday.

People using wood to heat their homes need to be particularly vigilant, Goad said. "Over the last several days there've been starts from outdoor boilers. So we ask people with outdoor boilers to really watch them closely."

The dry conditions have also delayed new spring growth by about three weeks. New growth generally eases wildfire danger.

A large wildfire currently burning near Warroad has consumed 47 hundred acres so far and is 60 percent contained. The fire is not threatening any populated areas.

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