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LAKE SARAH NEWS
updated May 13, 2025
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Red Flag Warning issued for 65 counties due to extreme fire risk
Due to extreme fire risk conditions, the National Weather Service has issued a Red Flag Warning for 65 counties in Minnesota effective Tuesday, May 13.
Affected counties include Aitkin, Becker, Beltrami, Benton, Big Stone, Blue Earth, Brown, Carlton, Cass, Chippewa, Clay, Clearwater, Cook, Cottonwood, Crow Wing, Douglas, Grant, Hubbard, Itasca, Jackson, Kanabec, Kandiyohi, Kittson, Koochiching, Lac Qui Parle, Lake of the Woods, Lake, Lincoln, Lyon, Mahnomen, Marshall, Martin, McLeod, Meeker, Mille Lacs, Morrison, Murray, Nicollet, Nobles, Norman, Otter Tail, Pennington, Pine, Pipestone, Polk, Polk, Pope, Red Lake, Redwood, Renville, Rock, Roseau, Sherburne, Sibley, St. Louis, Stearns, Stevens, Swift, Todd, Traverse, Wadena, Watonwan, Wilkin, Wright, and Yellow Medicine.
A Red Flag Warning means fires can spread quickly and grow out of control under the current weather conditions, including low humidity, gusty winds, and dry fuels. Residents should not burn in those counties where a Red Flag Warning is in effect and should check any recent burning they might have done to ensure the fire is completely out.
The DNR will not issue or activate open burning permits for large vegetative debris burning during the Red Flag Warning, and campfires are strongly discouraged.
Red Flag Warnings are evolving situations. Visit the National Weather Service (weather.gov) for updates.
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Lake Sarah water levels mid range (see chart) for this time of year. We're looking pretty good considering the low snow winter. Enjoy the lake and remember - as my friend Joan Lyrek used to say - If you're lucky enough to live on the lake then you're lucky enough!
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| Arrow indicates level 979.26 on May 6, 2025 |
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The most recent water level reading in 2025 was 979.26' on May 8
This can be compared to the final reading last fall on November 17, 2024 of 978.81' and the Ordinary High Water Level for Sarah of 979.90'. The Spencer family will continue as the appointed volunteer monitoring our lakes’ water levels for the MN DNR, the LSIA and the lakesarah.com community website
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Docks and Access in Public Waters
Docks, those narrow structures used for getting to deeper water, are commonly used on Minnesota lakes and rivers. For many docks, no permit is needed to install, construct, or reconstruct on shoreline property. For certain docks, a general permit may be used. There are many options, and we recommend that landowners use the smallest and narrowest dock that will reasonably meet their water access needs.
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Don’t let a wildfire become a life‐altering event
As Minnesota experiences an active spring wildfire season, with 475 wildfires reported since April 1, the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources is urging the public to take wildfire dangers seriously. If you see a wildfire, do not attempt to fight it yourself -- call 911 immediately from a safe location.
Even seemingly harmless activities like enjoying a campfire or burning a small pile of yard waste can quickly turn into a dangerous wildfire, especially on warm, sunny, or windy days. Not only do wildfires threaten property, but they can also lead to injuries and even deaths, the vast majority of which are avoidable.
"Every year, including this year, we learn of people who have suffered serious injuries that require hospitalization -- or worse, fatalities -- from attempting to control a wildfire on their own," said William Glesener, wildfire operations supervisor with the DNR. "Just like a house fire, a wildfire is extremely dangerous and unpredictable and should be left to the experts to manage.”
Wildland firefighters are highly trained and properly equipped to respond to wildfires safely. If a fire escapes your control or you spot a wildfire, do not try to handle it yourself—immediately seek safety and call 911.
Prevention is the best way to manage wildfire risks. Always be careful when burning vegetation or enjoying an evening around the campfire, and make sure the fire is completely out before leaving the site – if it’s too hot to touch, it’s too hot to leave. Also remember that any fire larger than 3 feet in diameter and 3 feet high needs a burning permit. By allowing burning permit activation only on days when wildfire risk is not elevated, the DNR keeps safety a priority. Learn more on the ).
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Official Ice Out for 2025 was March 25
Small areas of broken ice chunks were last reported on Tuesday morning but for the record purposes the lake was determined to be free of ice by late afternoon. Congratulations to Scott Engle who picked the closest date (3/28) for the LSA contest!.
Average Ice Out Date since 1978 April 7
Earliest Ice Out Date recorded March 6, 2024
Latest Ice Out Date Recorded May 2, 2018
For more information on past years Ice over / Ice off dates visit the Ice data page on this website.
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Many of the questions emailed to this site regard illegal or inconsiderate snowmobile, atv, boat or pwc operation or fishing/hunting violation questions. To report illegal vehicular activity you should contact Hennepin County Sheriff Water Patrol (612)596-9880, or West Hennepin Public Safety (763)479-0500, The Water Patrol will not issue a citation for offenses they do not witness. They may issue a citation if the witness agrees sign the complaint (much like a citizens arrest). If you plan on filing charges against an individual you should make note of the date, time, vehicle description and license number, identity or good description of the operator. A side note; If the offender wishes to appear in court you may be required to appear as witness / accuser. To report hunting or fishing violations call DNR West Metro Conservation Officer: Ben Ulrich Phone: (651)242-2166, DNR Enforcement (651)582-1502, or orTIP (turn in poachers) toll free hotline 800-652-9093. Click the blue text for a copy of the Minnesota Snowmobile Regs , Personal Watercraft Regs , MN Boating Guide , ATV/OHV Regs, or the current MN Fishing Regulations , in Adobe Acrobat Reader format (.pdf).
Lake Sarah (MN DNR #27-0191) is located in sections 1 and 2, township 118, range 24; and in sections 34 and 35, township 119, range 24, Hennepin County, Minnesota. GPS 45°4'19"N 93°41'24"W surrounded by the Minnesota cities of Independence, Greenfield, Loretto, Medina, and Rockford. Click here to view a Google hybrid map of lake Sarah. Suggestions for content and services to be provided by this site are always welcome! E-mail this website with your feedback, suggestions, comments or ideas.
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