Fergus Falls fire department plans training burns at three sites

Smoke and fire crews were visible across Fergus Falls on Wednesday afternoon as the fire department carried out wildland training burns at Adams Park, City Hall Park and the 300 block of S. Vine Street.

Fire Chief Ryan Muchow said residents could expect to see smoke, but weather conditions were favorable for good smoke lift. The activity at each location was expected to last less than an hour, keeping the burns brief even as crews worked in three separate parts of the city.

The sites included Adams Park at 700 Vernon Avenue, City Hall Park at 112 W. Washington Avenue and the 300 block of S. Vine Street. That put the department’s training in highly visible locations, including downtown and nearby neighborhood streets, where passersby likely noticed flames, apparatus and smoke before the work moved on.

The burns were part of the Fergus Falls Fire Department’s effort to stay ready for grass fires, brush fires and other outdoor incidents that can escalate quickly in spring. The department serves a 144-square-mile area that includes the City of Fergus Falls along with Aurdal, Buse, Fergus Falls and Orwell townships, so wildland response is not a distant concern but part of day-to-day readiness across Otter Tail County.

Wildland training is a standard part of that preparation. The National Wildfire Coordinating Group’s S-130 firefighter training is designed to build basic wildland firefighting skills through online instruction and an instructor-led field exercise, reinforcing the kind of hands-on work crews need before they face a real fire in open grass or brush.

The Minnesota Department of Natural Resources says prescribed fire is an important tool for reducing hazardous fuels, and state fire officials have said about 75% of Minnesota wildfires occur in April and May. The DNR also says escaped debris fires are the number one cause of wildfires in the state, a reminder that spring conditions can shift fast and that controlled burns, permits and fire-danger restrictions all matter.

For Fergus Falls, the training burns served a practical purpose: visible smoke in the city for a short period, and a chance for firefighters to sharpen response in conditions that mirror the kinds of calls they can face when dry ground and spring winds raise wildfire risk.