ST. PAUL – The Department of Natural Resources is adding several counties in northwestern and western Minnesota to its list of areas with spring burning restrictions, the agency said Monday, April 1.
As warm and dry weather increases across the state, additional spring burning restrictions will begin Tuesday, April 8, and early next week, the DNR said. Escaped fire from burning vegetative debris is Minnesota's number one cause of wildfires, and burning restrictions help reduce wildfire risk.
Beginning at 6 a.m. Tuesday, burning restrictions will apply in the following counties: Aitkin, Becker, Beltrami, Carlton, Cass, Clay, Clearwater, Crow Wing, Douglas, Grant, Hubbard, Itasca, Kittson, Mahnomen, Marshall, Norman, Otter Tail, Pennington, Polk, Pope, Red Lake, southern St. Louis County, Stevens, Traverse, Wadena, Wilkin and Roseau.
Beginning at 6 a.m. Monday, April 14, burning restrictions will take effect in Cook, Koochiching, Lake, Lake of the Woods and northern St. Louis counties. Restrictions remain in place for Anoka, Benton, Chisago, Hennepin, Isanti, Kanabec, Mille Lacs, Morrison, Pine, Ramsey, Sherburne, Stearns, Todd, Washington and Wright counties, the DNR said.
The DNR will not issue permits for the open burning of brush or yard waste in these counties until restrictions are lifted.
“People might not realize how easily a fire can accidentally get out of control when it’s dry outside,” Karen Harrison, DNR wildfire prevention specialist, said in a statement. “By restricting burning during periods of high wildfire risk, we’ve significantly reduced the number of wildfires Minnesota has experienced over the past decade.”
If people need to dispose of vegetation or yard waste, Harrison said composting, chipping, or taking brush to a collection site are all good options.
People cause more than 90% of wildfires in Minnesota. If a fire rekindles or escapes, the person who set it is liable for any damage caused, as well as for wildfire suppression costs.
- More info: mndnr.gov/burnrestrictions .
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