Daily Herald editorial

Although the forecast calls for a chance of showers and thunderstorms by week’s end, it will take more rain than that to break the drought pattern that has gripped southern Minnesota this year and is pushing fire danger to high levels. And that means that everyone needs to beware that it will take little to launch a grass fire.

Several fires burned in the area earlier this week, fueled by a combination of dry conditions, high winds and vegetation that hasn’t fully greened up. There are burning bans in place, but as Austin area residents found out last fall, drought and wind create conditions that are ripe for a fire at the drop of a spark — which could come from a vehicle in a field, a tossed cigarette or a simple backyard campfire or sparks from a burn barrel. It just doesn’t take much right now. And while the vast majority of spring grass fires don’t do much property damage, anytime flames are running before the wind there’s a risk that homes or other structures could be involved.

Until the rains come, the winds subside and plants are all green, it is wise to be particularly cautious with anything that makes a flame or a spark.