(VOX 9) – As winter approaches, local fire departments expect to see more reports of dangerous fires.

Background

On August 30, a 53-year-old Hibbing man was killed and seven others were injured in a campfire explosion in French Township. Authorities said it happened when a flammable liquid was used to start a fire.

Fire Safety Reminders

Now public safety leaders are warning about fire safety.

“Remember to always use clean, dry wood and only burn wood. We don’t want to burn trash, plastic or anything that gives off harmful fumes,” Fire Chief Dan Krier told FOX 9 on Sunday. “Never use flammable liquids to start a fire.”

Krier, on the other hand, recommends dryer lint as a safer alternative.

St. Paul Fire Chief Jamie Smith also offered advice on where to best start a fire.

“Ensure all fires are contained at least 25 feet from any building and are contained within a ring of brick, stone or metal,” Smith said.

“It’s really important to have a garden hose or some type of fire extinguisher with a bucket of water on hand so that you can quickly put the fire out if it gets further out of control than you expected,” Krier said.