More than 80 acres burned after fire in Blaine Saturday

A fire destroyed more than 80 acres of public land in Blaine near the Blaine Town Square on Saturday.

Firefighters responded to the blaze around 11 a.m. and found that about 20 acres were burning when they arrived, according to Spring Lake Park Blaine Mounds View Fire Department Fire Chief Dan Retka. Crews noticed a large plume of smoke and called for backup.

More than 80 acres had been burned by the time the fire had been brought under control.

Minnesota DNR Public Information Officer Leanne Langeberg reminded everyone during an afternoon news conference to be cautious during the current dry conditions.

“When you think about the grasses that have been under snow cover all winter long, they’re very dry this time of year and very susceptible to drying out rapiddly after rainfall and very susceptible to a quick spark,” Langeberg said.

There were no reports of injuries or damage to private property, and no one was forced to evacuate.

The cause of the fire is still under investigation.

Langeberrg said that about 30 firefighters from multiple agencies were still putting out hotspots around 3:30 p.m., but the fire was under control.