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Community Corner

Minnetonka and Hennepin County Fire Danger: Very High

Burning is restricted, with only variance permits allowed.

The fire danger for Minnetonka and Hennepin County is very high, according to the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources. Burning is restricted, with only variance permits allowed.

A very high rating means that:

Fires start very easily and spread at a very fast rate. Fires start easily from all causes, spread rapidly and intensify quickly. Spot fires are a constant danger. Fires burning in heavy fuels may quickly develop high-intensity characteristics, such as long-distance spotting and fire whirlwinds. Direct attack at the head of such fires is rarely possible after they have been burning more than a few minutes.

Find out what's happening in Minnetonkawith free, real-time updates from Patch.

Several counties in Minnesota are in the high to extreme danger rating, with counties in southeastern Minnesota under a red flag warning.

According to the National Weather Service, a red flag warning is issued when critical fire weather conditions are either occurring now or will occur shortly.

Find out what's happening in Minnetonkawith free, real-time updates from Patch.

The DNR issued a release urging Labor Day weekend campers to:

  • Maintain small campfires that do not exceed three feet high by three feet across,
  • Attend to the campfire at all times,
  • Clear vegetation from around the campfire,
  • Keep water available, and to
  • Not leave the campfire until it is cold to the touch.

The DNR included a reminder that the failure to fully extinguish campfires is a common cause of wildfires and those responsible could end up paying suppression costs in the thousands of dollars. 

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