In This Issue
 As part of a national Fire Prevention Week (Oct. 5-11) campaign, Minnesota Department of Natural Resources wildland firefighters will be visiting schools and partnering with fire departments across the state to promote fire safety and wildfire prevention.
While this national event spotlights fire prevention each October, wildfire prevention is a year-round priority in Minnesota. Our spring months typically produce the highest number of wildfires on average each year. While typically fewer occur in fall, wildfires have the potential to grow quickly and become large due to drier weather conditions and the addition of dry vegetation and falling leaves as fall progresses. Historically, some of the most devastating wildfires in Minnesota’s past have begun in September and October, such as the Great Hinckley Fire, which started on Sept. 1, 1894.
Fall is an active time for Minnesotans, whether enjoying outdoor recreation or working in yards or fields, and it is also a critical time to be practicing fire-safe habits. Every year burned brush piles, campfires, and farming and recreation equipment spark unexpected wildfires in grasses and dry vegetation. Being fire-prevention aware when outdoors will keep fall enjoyable for everyone.
As students and communities learn more about fire prevention next week, every Minnesotan can do their part by always keeping wildfire prevention in mind and following these guidelines:
- Keep campfires small and manageable, and always have plenty of water and a shovel close by to put the fire out cold.
- Hold off on burning large debris piles until there is three inches of continuous snow cover and always check if a burning permit is required on the DNR’s burning permit webpage (mndnr.gov/burningpermit).
- Use alternatives to burning, such as disposing of leaves, yard waste and brush by composting or chipping, or taking these materials to a collection site.
- Park vehicles on gravel or pavement whenever possible and avoid idling near tall grass or other dry vegetation. Exhaust systems from equipment like ATVs and tractors can reach temperatures of more than 1,000 degrees.
Most importantly, stay safe. If people see a wildfire, they should move to a safe location and call 911 right away.
If schools or communities want to invite staff or Smokey Bear to teach about wildfire prevention, they can contact the nearest DNR forestry office (mndnr.gov/contact/locator.html). To learn more about wildfire prevention, visit the DNR website (mndnr.gov/wildfire/prevention).
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Aerial seeding is one of several reforestation activities that take place on state-managed land in fall
 The Minnesota Department of Natural Resources has completed an aerial seeding project via helicopter to disperse jack pine, white pine and black spruce seeds on DNR-managed forests across the state. The flights are part of the DNR’s typical fall reforestation work, which can also include activities like direct seeding and planting, bud capping, prescribed burns, and other site preparation.
Reforestation is led by the DNR’s Silviculture Program. Silviculture is the art and science of tending forests to meet a variety of objectives, including recreation, wildlife habitat, clean air and water, sustainable timber production, and more.
“Reforestation is a lot more complex than simply planting a seedling,” said Chris Gronewold, DNR Silviculture Program coordinator. “Depending on each site and future goal, we choose the right mix of tree species and use every available tool to make sure we’re giving trees their best chance to grow.”
Some sites are too remote or geographically difficult to reach with a crew on the ground. In these instances, the DNR contracts a helicopter to aerially disperse seeds. Seeds are mixed with clay to help with even distribution, loaded into a hopper aboard the aircraft, and then flown over each site and distributed evenly from a height just above any surrounding trees.
This fall, 19 state forest sites were aerially seeded. Elsewhere throughout the state, crews are busy with other reforestation methods. Altogether, 589 acres will be planted or seeded this fall.
After planting, DNR foresters will continue to monitor sites as the trees grow. Additional work includes removing invasive species and competing vegetation to ensure the young trees have the opportunity to thrive and provide the many benefits of a growing forest.
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