What to know about spring wildfire season

While spring is defined by mud for many in the Arrowhead, according the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources (MN DNR) Wildfire Prevention Specialist Karen Harrison, 75% of wildfires that happen in the state happen in the spring.

Harrison told WTIP that the combination of warming weather, strong winds, and dry vegetation creates conditions in which fire can spread easily. Even with spring rains and snow melt still taking place, until plants green up, she said “cured” grasses and plants that died over the winter remain a fire risk. This increased risk means that the MN DNR issues spring burning restrictions each year, limiting the types of burning allowable during the season. Harrison said that the restrictions limit burns to campfires, defined as fires no more than three feet in diameter and three feet tall.

Conditions that contribute to fire danger can shift quickly, and Harrison said that before burning, people should consult the MN DNR website tracking both fire danger and what restrictions are in place across the state.

According to the MN DNR, over 90% of the wildfires in the state are linked to a human cause. So no matter the season, Harrison said that there are guidelines that everyone should follow. For intentional fires, like camp fires, Harrison said that it is important that the size of the fire is controlled and limited, and that the area around the fire is clear of any debris that could ignite. She also encouraged people to make sure that before leaving the site of a fire, they not only make sure that the fire has been extinguished, but that any coals are also cold. “If it’s too hot to touch, it is too hot to leave,” she said.

In addition to keeping the spread of an intentionally started fire in mind, Harrison said that fires can easily be started accidentally. “Use extra caution with anything that has maybe a metal blade, like a lawn mower, or if you are using any kind of agricultural equipment, make sure your chains are properly secured,” Harrison said. “Things like metal on pavement or metal on a rock can create a spark, and in those dry conditions, can cause a wildfire.”

She added that, especially during times of elevated fire risk, equipment or vehicles with hot motors should be parked on gravel or pavement, and that motors should not be left idling near dry grass.

If a fire does start for any reason, Harrison said it is important to get to a safe place and report it right away.

WTIP’s Kirsten Wisniewski spoke with MN DNR Wildfire Prevention Specialist Karen Harrison. Audio of that interview is below.

Kirsten Wisniewski May 5, 2026