ST. PAUL – Fire departments in the St. Paul region have been busy over the past two weeks responding to fires, and the public is asked to remain vigilant to help reduce fire risk as dry, windy conditions persist.
As of this week, two fires remain active within the County of St. Paul, but both are classified "under control", said St. Paul Fire Chief and Director of Protective Services Trevor Kotowich, "Which means there is no risk at this time of them spreading."
"One fire is on private land, and the other is on a government grazing lease," he added.
According to Kotowich, the majority of fires the fire departments in the St. Paul region responded to were from old brush pile fires, which re-ignited and spread due to dry and windy weather conditions.
The fire department is also currently investigating a couple of other fires it suspects were caused by ATVs.
Kotowich reminds the public to incorporate FireSmart principles on their properties, including removing materials that act as potential fuel from yards and around buildings.
Ways to reduce fire hazard include storing wood piles away from buildings, removing coniferous trees to at least 10 metres away from a house, thinning and trimming the bottom branches on trees that are 10 to 30 metres from the house, keeping a mowed lawn, and raking up dead leaves and debris.
"I cannot stress enough that it is the absolute responsibility of the landowner who had permitted burns through the winter and spring to please check them and the surrounding areas for any signs of smoke, heat or embers," he also said. "There should be, at minimum, a clear 10-foot wide perimeter around the pile."
The County of St. Paul is currently under a Level 3 Fire Restriction, which means burn barrels and the open burning of grass, leaves, or branches in yards and lake lots are currently prohibited. Although small, safe wood campfires for cooking and warming are allowed on private lands and campgrounds.
Landowners also need to make sure previous brush burn sites have been completely extinguished.
No new fire permits will be issued during the restriction, and current fire permits are suspended.
Fire departments have also been actively responding to motor vehicle collisions in the past two weeks, not just fires, said Kotowich, as he urges the public to drive safely.
