NISSWA — A wildfire drawing response from multiple area fire departments Thursday night, June 9, in Nisswa burned about 18 acres and spread more quickly because of abundant cottonwood fluff accumulating on the ground.
“White cotton from these cotton trees should not be lit. It’s more flammable than gasoline,” said Nisswa Fire Chief Shawn Bailey. “ … It’s extremely rapid. Normally, we’re already done with our green-up this time of year, but it’s burning across the top and the fire is running across the green.
“I’ve never witnessed something like this. It’s crazy.”
Bailey and 14 other Nisswa firefighters — along with eight from Pequot Lakes, 11 from Mission Township and about eight from the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources — were called at 6:58 p.m. to a wildfire on East Clark Lake Road in Nisswa. Bailey said the fire ran through a wooded area and licked up trees.
Mutual aid from the other departments included as many as 17 trucks, a utility task vehicle and Bombardier J5 firefighting track vehicles. The fire did not threaten any structures and no injuries occurred, Bailey said. East Clark Lake Road was closed for a time for the safety of personnel, he added.
As of 10 p.m. Thursday, Bailey estimated the fire was 95% contained with a few hotspots remaining. Some crews would return in the morning to ensure it was completely out, he said.
The cause of the fire was unknown Thursday night. It remains under investigation according to the chief.
Gusty NW winds, low RHs, and dry fuels will lead to dangerous fire weather conditions this afternoon and early evening across northeast MN. Any fires that start will spread quickly in these conditions! Check with your local authorities for any burning restrictions. #mnwx #wiwx pic.twitter.com/eOtIxsbpTb
After a relatively quiet grass fire season, Bailey said this week, conditions turned ripe for fires, in large part because of the fluff.
“Don’t light the white,” he said.
The National Weather Service in Duluth warned of near-critical fire weather in the region earlier Thursday. Dry conditions with low relative humidity and breezy winds combined to conditions conducive to rapid spread of fire. The high temperature at the Brainerd Lakes Regional Airport Thursday was 79 degrees.
“Remember what the bear in the hat says,” the weather service wrote on Twitter.