NEWS RELEASE
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
August 30, 2021
CONTACT: Julie Marinucci, Director of Land and Minerals
218-725-5049 (office) • 218-591-2219 (cell)
St. Louis County announces logging restrictions due to wildfire risk
Due to continuing drought restrictions and resulting wildfire risk, St. Louis County is restricting cutting and logging operations on all county-managed lands in the northern part of the county. The restrictions are consistent with those announced by the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources (DNR) and the United States Forest Service (USFS), and apply to the same area where no open burning and no campfires are allowed.
These restrictions are intended to protect the forested land from wildfires that could be sparked by the machinery used for logging activities, and to protect the health and safety of the public, contractors, and permit holders. Among the land management activities currently banned between the hours of 11 a.m. and 11 p.m. are: harvesting trees and processing logs on the landing, mowing and clearing grass and brush, road grading, and operating any other mechanized equipment that could create a spark and result in fire. Additionally, any equipment used on county managed lands must have fire suppression equipment readily available at all times, and complete fire watch is required for one hour after operations shut down.
The complete list of restricted activities, as well as exceptions, can be found online at stlouiscountymn.gov/land. The St. Louis County Land and Minerals Department is coordinating with the DNR and USFS, as well as the county's Emergency Management Division to monitor forest conditions and will lift the restrictions as soon as it's safe to do so.
###
|
