Firewise in Minnesota
Firewise is a program designed to addresses the risk of homes in the wildland/urban interface to wildland fire. As more homes are built in the woods and fields of Minnesota, the existing firefighting resources are less able to protect everyone's property while trying to control a wildfire.
Homes close to evergreens and the tall grasses of prairies or marshes are most at risk. Making your home able to survive an approaching wildfire is the goal of the Firewise program.
The Minnesota Department of Natural Resources (DNR) has adopted the national Firewise program for fire prevention information and preparedness. For information about this program in Minnesota go to the DNR Firewise website. There you will find links to some of the national Firewise sites and all of the Minnesota related Firewise sites, plus general wildfire information.
Health Threat From Wildfire Smoke
Smoke from wildfires is a mixture of gases and fine particles from burning trees and other plant materials. Smoke can hurt your eyes, irritate your respiratory system, and worsen chronic heart and lung diseases.