Despite Rain, Lakes Area still Extremely Dry

DETROIT LAKES (KDLM) – Despite a good soaking of rain, the Lakes Area is still extremely dry.

Detroit Lakes Fire Chief, Ryan Swanson says the rain is helping, but burning restrictions remain in place. “Yesterday morning around 4 o’clock we were paged to a tree on fire due to a lightning strike. By the time we got there – and it was raining out – the tree was fully engulfed. The trees are so dry that they’re lighting up – normally a lightning strike doesn’t start a tree on fire.”

Burning restriction remain throughout much of the State due to extreme drought conditions. Among the restrictions include the use of charcoal grills and camp fires.