Heavy, soaking rains notwithstanding, spring burning permit restrictions went into effect for much of the Northland Thursday.

Thirteen counties - including Itasca, Koochiching, and Crow Wing - are now under restriction.

As Chris Buckley reports, the restrictions are going into effect later than in recent years, thanks to the winter snowfall and cool spring temperatures.

DNR officials and fire crews in Grand Rapids had to put out a grass fire on Wednesday afternoon.

"Luckily, it did very little damage, but it did burn about an acre and the past few nights, area fire departments have responded to small grass fires in the area and that's an indicator it will spread quickly and even if people are doing adequate measures of control - it's that kind of year."

The restrictions usually last around four to six weeks, depending on the weather.

"If we see more rain and a rapid green-up, we're getting good precipitation, so that will be good to prepare us for a rapid green-up this year."

This isn't a total burning ban, so campfires won't be affected - as long as they're kept under three feet and contained in a rock ring or steel fire pit that's clear of debris. Just make sure they're fully extinguished.

And some variance permits will be allowed on an as-needed basis.

"That would be agricultural burning for construction projects that would otherwise not be completed and for wildlife prescribed burns, if there's an extreme hardship."

When the burning restrictions are lifted - that should be by mid May the DNR will be offering those permits on-line for the first time.
For Range 11, I'm Chris Buckley

Right now, the only Arrowhead-region counties that remain without permit restrictions are St. Louis, Lake and Cook Counties.