Gully News

Jan. 15--Peat fires can be a common occurrence during a dry Minnesota summer, but they're normally rare in the middle of the winter.

December's warm temperatures and scarcity of snow have prolonged the fire season for DNR foresters and posed occasional equipment shortages that have had to be overcome.

It's a "brown winter" so far for most of Minnesota. Yes, there's barely enough snow cover in the north woods around Ely and the BWCAW to enjoy some traditional winter activities, but most of the state is snow free as of December 27th.

The Minnesota DNR is now requiring burning permits in every part of the state except Cook County due to the lack of snow.