Minnesota spring burning restrictions to expand

The Minnesota Department of Natural Resources (DNR) has announced it will be expanding the areas open to burning restrictions of vegetative debris.

Starting Tuesday, April 8, at 6:00 a.m., the restrictions will be expanded to 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.

Then on Monday, April 14, at 6:00 a.m., the restrictions will be further expanded to the following counties: Cook, Koochiching, Lake, Lake of the Woods, and northern St. Louis County.

Restrictions currently remain in place for Anoka, Benton, Chisago, Hennepin, Isanti, Kanabec, Mille Lacs, Morrison, Pine, Ramsey, Sherburne, Stearns, Todd, Washington, and Wright counties.

The DNR states the will not issues permits for 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,” said Karen Harrison, DNR wildfire prevention specialist. “By restricting burning during periods of high wildfire risk, we’ve significantly reduced the number of wildfires Minnesota has experienced over the past decade.”

Harrison further stated in the meantime people can compost, chip, or bring their waste to a collection site.

The latest state wide fire danger and burning restrictions can be found here.