Safety and Resources

Burning Permits and Restrictions

There are strict guidelines for burning permits. Wright County and the city of St. Michael requires a permit and has burning restrictions.

Where do I obtain a permit?

When burning permits can be issued, they are available on the Minnesota DNR Open Burning Permit Online Service.

When do I need to obtain a burning permit?
When the fire is larger than 3 feet high and 3 feet around, the ground is not covered by more than 3 inches of show, and/or when the fire is not contained within an approved burner or a cooking/heating device (e.g., charcoal grill or camp stove).

To find out more information and how to obtain a permit, please visit the Department of Natural Resources.

Campfire Safety

Check that the site allows campfires and that there are no burn bans.
Make sure there are no burn bans and it’s not too windy.
Dig a pit away from overhanging branches.
Circle the pit with rocks.
Clear a 10-foot area around the pit down to the dirt, removing anything that could catch on fire.
Stack extra wood upwind and away from the fire.
After lighting, throw the match into the fire.
Never leave a campfire unattended; an adult should supervise the campfire at all times.
Keep a bucket of water and shovel nearby.
Never put anything but wood into the fire.
Do not pull sticks out of the fire.
Do not sit on the fire ring or rocks around the campfire. They will heat up quickly and stay hot for a long time.
When it’s time to put the fire out, dump lots of water on it, stir it with a shovel, then dump more water on it. Make sure it is COLD before leaving the campsite. If it’s too hot to touch, it’s too hot to leave!

For additional information, visit Smokey the Bear’s website.

Car Seat Checks

Mother buckling her toddler son into a car seat in the backseat of a van.

Car seats greatly reduce injuries and deaths, so it’s important to ensure your car seat(s) are properly installed.

Check out the state’s Child Passenger Safety Page for restraint steps, free car seat distribution centers, and frequently asked questions.

The St. Michael Fire Department does not conduct car seat inspections.

Carbon Monoxide

What is carbon monoxide (CO)?
A colorless, odorless toxic gas that is flammable and can kill you
What are symptoms of CO poisoning?
Sleepiness, headaches, weakness, dizziness, blurred vision, nausea/vomiting, chest pains and flu-like symptoms
What are common sources of CO around my home?
- Furnaces and other gas appliances, such as your gas clothes dryer and water heater
- Wood- or charcoal-burning stoves and grills
- Gas- or wood-burning fireplaces
- Vehicle exhaust and gas-powered engines (lawn mowers, snow blowers, etc.)
- Kerosene heaters, lanterns, and other appliances
How do I prevent CO poisoning in my home?
- Install battery-operated, or battery back-up CO detectors in your home where it will be heard, such as outside of each bedroom and at least one on every level. (Consider buying detectors with a digital readout that tells you your current CO levels in your home.)
- Replace the batteries in your alarms once a year and replace the detectors every five years.
- Have your gas and/or coal-burning appliances (furnace, dryer, water heater, etc.) serviced by a qualified technician every year.
- Do not use flameless, portable chemical heaters indoors.
- Ensure your gas appliances are vented properly.
- Have your chimney checked and cleaned every year.
- Never patch a vent pipe with tape or gum.
- Never use your gas range or oven to heat your home, cabin, or camper.
- Never burn charcoal indoors.
- Never use a portable gas camp stove indoors.
- Never use a generator inside your home, basement, garage, or less than 20 feet from any window, door, or vent.
- When using a generator, make sure you have a working battery-powered CO detector in your home, cabin, or camper.
What should I do when my CO detector goes off?
- Check to see if anyone is showing signs of CO poisoning. If they are, get the person outside immediately and call 9-1-1.
- If there are no immediate health issues, call your utility company or an appliance repair service.
- Open windows.
- Check to see if your CO detector has failed (needs new batteries, etc.).

Source: Center for Disease Control and Prevention [Carbon Monoxide Poisoning Basics | Carbon Monoxide Poisoning | CDC]

Watch a video on Carbon Monoxide!

Fire Safety in Your Home

SMFD fire truck at a house completely overtaken by fire.

The St. Michael Fire Department wants to help you keep your home a safe and healthy haven. Below you will find tips and resources for you and your family. As a starting point, check out this Home Safety Checklist from the U.S. Fire Administration (FEMA).

Fire Safety Tips

Smoke alarms:
- Ensure there is a working fire alarm on each level of your home, near or inside sleeping areas.
- Test smoke alarms monthly and change batteries annually.
- Replace alarms every 10 years.
Install carbon monoxide detectors. (Find more information here)
Have a fire extinguisher on each level of your home and in the garage, mounted near the exit.
Plan and practice a home escape plan. Every Second Counts: Plan 2 Ways Out (PDF)
STOP, DROP, and ROLL if your clothing is on fire and crawl low under smoke.
Have your furnace and/or chimney cleaned and inspected annually.
Keep space heaters more than 3 feet away from anything that can burn, do not run for extended period of time, and do not run when you are not in the room or when you go to sleep.
During the winter months, keep snow and ice 3 feet away from fire hydrants.
Help us keep you safe in case of an emergency!

Fire & Home Safety Resources

Fire Safety in Our Schools

The St. Michael Fire Department visits the schools in the city of St. Michael the first Friday in October to kick off Fire Prevention Week. The firefighters will do a timed fire drill to ensure all staff and students know the “drill”—what to do and where to go if the situation arises that they need to exit the building.

The fire department also makes visits to daycares at times to show the kids one of the department’s trucks and what the fire gear looks like. The firefighter(s) also talk to the kids about fire safety and prevention, and answer any of their questions.

For the Kids

On average, families have less than three minutes from the time the first smoke alarm sounds to escape a fire. The sooner you hear an alarm, the more time you will have to get out.

10 Things to Keep Yourself Safe

Call 9-1-1
Call 9-1-1 right away If there is an emergency, don't wait!
Also know a number of a friend or family member who can help in an emergency.
Smoke Detectors
Install smoke alarms on every floor of your home, in hallways, inside bedrooms, and outside of sleeping areas.
Change your batteries twice a year. An easy way to remember is by changing in the fall when you set your clocks back and, in the spring, when you set them forward.
Make a Plan
Talk to your family about what to do in the event of a fire. Make sure everyone knows what to do and where to go. Check that every room has two exits. Designate an outside meeting place and practice meeting there.
Practice
Run through your plan so everyone knows what to do. If one of your exits is a window, make sure it will open. Practice meeting at your designated location.
Get Out
If there is a fire, get outside. Do not hide.
Get Low
In an event of a fire, get as low as possible since there is less smoke. Crawl yourself to safety.
Stop, Drop and Roll
If your clothes start on fire, DON'T PANIC! Stop, Drop, and Roll. Keep rolling until the fire is out.
Stay Outside
Never go back inside a burning building. Go to your designated meeting spot and stay there until help arrives.
Matches Aren’t Toys
Don’t play with matches. If you find matches or a lighter, let an adult know.
Look for Fire Hazards
Check your fireplaces and electrical cords to make sure they are in good working order.

Resources for Kids

Recreational Fires

A campfire with wood burning inside a metal ring.

ONLY natural cut wood, no longer than 24 inches in length, may be burned.
The following shall NOT be burned

Leaves, brush, pine needles
Processed lumber
Varnished or painted materials
Pallets or sawdust
Wiring
Furniture or carpeting
Grass.

No burning of materials inside a barrel (also known as “barrel burning”) is allowed.
Fires must be in a pit no wider than 36 inches in diameter and it is recommended that it have brick or concrete block on the outside of the ring. A specially made above-ground stand, also known as a portable outdoor fireplace, may be used.
The fire shall be attended at all times and extinguished completely when left unattended.
Maintain a minimum of 25 feet between the fire and any combustible surface or material including, but not limited to, houses, fencing, trailers, and vehicles.
A compatibly-sized means of extinguishment must be available at all times, e.g., a garden hose connected to the house that reaches the edge of the fire.
Use extreme caution when weather conditions result in lack of rain for more than a week and/or high temperatures resulting in dry conditions.
Be observant of wind direction and smoke travel into neighboring homes. Extinguish fire if smoke is traveling into a neighboring home.

Severe Weather

Dark sky, ominous clouds and lightning strike

Severe weather can happen anytime and has the potential to cause significant damage. In Minnesota, the most common types are tornadoes, high winds, hail, lightning, and large amounts of precipitation.

There are a three steps you can take to keep your family safe

For additional information, visit the Minnesota Department of Safety or Ready.gov.

Winter Survival Kit

Developed by the North Dakota State University Extension Service, the Winter Survival Kit app can be critical if you find yourself stuck or stranded in severe winter weather conditions. This free app will help you find your current location, call 9-1-1, notify your family and friends, and calculate how long you can run your engine to keep warm and safe from carbon monoxide poisoning.

The app is available for free on Google Play and iTunes App Store. Winter Survival Kit (PDF)