Drought prompts DNR to expand burn restrictions

Minnesota's Department of Natural Resources will be putting new burning restrictions in place for a half dozen counties on Friday morning.

The counties involved are Anoka, Chisago, Isanti, Sherburne, Washington, and Wright Counties.

Drought conditions are drying out even this year's spring growth, according to DNR wildfire prevention coordinator Larry Himanga. Grasses and shoots tend to help prevent fires and slow down the blazes that do start.

Fire experts also say that existing fuels, like dead vegetation, are as dry as they've ever been. Various parts of the state are as much as three inches behind normal for precipitation.

"If you go from (Alexandria) to Brainerd, and then over to Sandstone, and then an area south of there to the Twin Cities and then heading on over to Litchfield, that portion of the state is quite dry," Himanga said.

No burning permits will be issued for the affected counties, and open fires will be banned until the restrictions are lifted.