Grass Fire Ignites Along I-35E and Highway 62; High Fire Danger Continues For Twin Cities Metro
MENDOTA HEIGHTS, MINNESOTA—Just before 3:25 PM on Tuesday, March 12, 2024, Dakota County Dispatch began receiving reports of an active grass fire in the cloverleaf exit ramp of northbound I-35E to Highway 62 in the City of Mendota Heights, Minnesota. This fire would be located just north of Highway 62.
Mendota Heights Police arrived on the scene to confirm that there was active fire, with the Mendota Heights Fire Department arriving around 3:30 PM. Mendota Heights Fire personnel were able to quickly get the flames under control, with the fire reported out by 3:36 PM. All units were cleared the scene by 3:40 PM.
According to the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources, the entire Twin Cities Metro is under a high fire danger threat. This means fires will start easily and spread quickly, as you can see from the above video of the fire this afternoon.
The Twin Cities Metro's high fire danger is due to the continued drought. Most of the Metro is under abnormally dry to moderate drought conditions, as shown in the U.S. Drought Monitor below.
