Fire Protection Areas

Because all parts of the state do not present the same kind and degree of fire problems, the state has been divided into different kinds of forest fire protection. The degree of protection has been determined by the amount of forested lands, hazards and risks present in the various parts of the state.

Extensive Protection Areas are less forested than intensive areas and have fewer DNR suppression resources and ranger stations. Hazards and risk are still high in these areas. Fire detection is accomplished with aerial detection and citizen reporting. Debris burning is regulated by the DNR and burning permits are needed whenever the ground is not snow covered from January 1 through May 31 and other times when the department so orders. Permits can be obtained from local emergency fire wardens and DNR ranger stations.