Minnesota's record-high fire threat has set off fire bans in several cities across the state, with the latest, Bloomington, announcing last week that all outdoor recreational fires are prohibited until the threat decreases.
The city joins others banning fires including Edina, Hopkins, Plymouth, Lakeville, Burnsville and St. Cloud. Dakota, Washington and Goodhue counties also issued bans, though it's up to each city to declare that fires are prohibited there.
The bans come as fire danger is at a seasonal all-time high in much of Minnesota because of dry weather and high winds.
The Department of Natural Resources lists much of southern Minnesota in "very high" fire danger -- the second-highest level. That means fires start easily and spread quickly. After Saturday's rains, the fire risk in the metro area is listed as "low" to "moderate."
DNR spokeswoman Rebecca Barnard said everyone, even those in cities without bans, should be cautious with anything that ignites a spark.
