The lack of rain in the region has multiple counties teetering on the edge of droughts.
Pine, Chisago, Kanabec, and Isanti Counties are all currently classified as abnormally dry, one step below a moderate drought. Should the current lack of rainfall continue, that classification will change and the risk of fire will continue.
Drought conditions aren’t affecting counties south of Washington, but the far north has been hit especially hard in places like the Lake of the Woods which is already in the second stage of the drought.
Drought Causing Fires
Last Sunday the Pine City Fire Department and DNR responded to a report of a fire in the Chengwatana State Forest.
Their efforts involved multiple trucks and a helicopter to finally quench the flames in the woods.
According to the department, no one was hurt in the fire, but they did want to remind citizens of the dry conditions across the region.
Currently in Pine County, no burning permits allow for fires, and only campfires are permitted.
Across the border, as of today Burnett County has the strictest burning conditions where no fires are allowed except for campfires, but are strongly discouraged as well.
