Minnesota State Fire Marshal

06/16/2026

Every day, fire safety education helps prevent tragedies before they happen.

It starts with teaching a child how to escape a burning home. It continues with helping families check their smoke alarms. And it grows through countless conversations that make Minnesota communities safer.

Behind many of those efforts is Deputy State Fire Marshal Kristy Wisniewski.

Kristy has been named a 2026 NFPA Rising Star by the National Fire Protection Association— one of just 10 recipients nationwide.

This recognition honors fire and life safety educators who are making a difference through innovative outreach, education and prevention programs.

Kristy's dedication helps educate the public, along with local fire departments, so they can share safety messages with their communities.

Congratulations, Kristy, on this well-deserved national recognition!

06/11/2026

Clothing trends, hairstyles, music genres are just a few things that have changed over the last 40 years.

But did you know the amount of time you have to escape during a fire has changed too — and not for the better.

Building and furnishing materials used today ignite quickly and burn faster than those used in the past.

In 1980, you could have had more than 10 minutes to get out if your house was on fire. Today, it’s less than five minutes.

Last year, 61 people died in Minnesota fires and we’re on pace to surpass that in 2026.

Test your smoke alarms. Make a fire escape plan. Pay attention when cooking or smoking.

Small reminders that could save lives.

06/08/2026

Minnesota’s fire service is planning for the future — and your voice matters.

We’re hosting 15 upcoming listening sessions as part of the statewide fire service assessment. These conversations will help highlight success stories and identify challenges facing fire departments across Minnesota.

Whether you're a firefighter, department leader, elected official or city manager, your input can help shape the future of fire and life safety in our state.

Check out our website for the full schedule and find a listening session that works for you: https://dps.mn.gov/divisions/sfm/fire-depts/statewide-fire-service-assessment

05/30/2026

Nearly three dozen Minnesotans have already died in fires this year, and it’s only May.

They were mothers, fathers, brothers, sisters, friends and so much more.

Take steps today to protect yourself and your loved ones:
• Test and check the batteries in your smoke alarms.
• Create and practice a fire escape plan for your household.
• Keep the exits in your home clear.
• Never leave cooking, candles, smoking materials or other sources of fire unattended.

These small steps can save lives. Don’t wait until a tragedy strikes close to home to take action.

05/23/2026

Campfires create memories — but one spark can change everything.

As you head outside this Memorial Day weekend, wildfires have already spread in parts of the state.

Dry conditions and wind can cause a fire to spread faster than you think.

Remember these safety tips before you sit down for s’mores:
• Check for burning restrictions and red flag warnings
• Keep water and a shovel nearby
• Never leave a fire unattended
• Drown the fire with water and make sure all embers are extinguished before leaving.
• Properly dispose of smoking materials

05/19/2026

Two minutes — the time it takes to brush your teeth, load the dishwasher or tidy up your desk.

But could you and your loved ones get out of your home in that amount of time?

On average, that’s how long people have to escape during a fire, and that time begins when the fire starts.

That’s why it’s so important to have working smoke alarms and a fire escape plan — so you’re alerted as quickly as possible and you know exactly how to get out.

In the first four months of 2026, there have already been 35 confirmed fire deaths.

Last year, there were 61 fire deaths in total. Even one death is too many.

Make a plan, test your alarms and practice your escape plan.

05/14/2026

Nearly two years ago, a townhome in Eden Prairie was set on fire with four children and an adult still inside.

Thankfully everyone survived. This week, the man responsible was sentenced to 15 years in prison.

Arson cases are difficult to investigate and even harder to prove. We’re grateful for the work of our investigators and partners at the Eden Prairie police and fire departments and the ATF for gathering the facts and finding answers in this case.

A 23-year-old man was sentenced to 15 years in prison after prosecutors said he set a Hennepin County townhome on fire with four children inside. ⬇️Click the link in the comments to read more

05/03/2026

They’re on the frontlines — fighting fires, responding to medical emergencies and showing up on people’s worst days.

This week, they gathered in St. Paul for Fire Service Day at the Capitol.

The annual event helps ensure members of the Minnesota fire service are supported at the legislative level. It also gives them a chance to connect with local lawmakers, share real stories from the job and advocate for the tools, training and regulations needed to keep people safe in all corners of the state.

Thanks to state leaders for listening to the successes and challenges facing our fire departments and working to pass laws that protect firefighters and the communities they serve.

04/30/2026

Jen Elleraas never saw herself becoming a firefighter, but it quickly became one of her passions.

Now she wants to inspire more women to join the industry by giving them hands-on experience before they even fill out an application.

Learn about the events happening statewide this Saturday for Women Explore Fire Day in our latest DPS blog: https://dps.mn.gov/news/sfm/statewide-effort-aims-recruit-more-women-fire-service

04/22/2026

A dangerous combination is putting parts of the state under extreme wildfire risk:
• Gusty winds up to 25 to 35 mph
• Exceptionally dry vegetation
• Very low relative humidity

New today: some counties in eastern Minnesota have been upgraded from a Fire Weather Watch to a Red Flag Warning from noon to 8 p.m.

This means near-critical fire conditions are expected.

Even outside the warning area, all Minnesotans should do their part to reduce wildfire risk:
• Avoid any outdoor burning.
• Be cautious with equipment that could spark.
• Dispose of ci******es and other smoking materials properly.
• Report fires immediately.

It only takes one spark to start a wildfire. Let’s do our part to keep Minnesota safe.