More counties under burning restrictions to help prevent wildfires
To help ensure public safety and protect natural resources, the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources is expanding burning restrictions. Effective 12:01 a.m., July 27, areas within state jurisdiction in Aitkin, Becker, Benton, Carlton, Clearwater, Mahnomen and Stearns counties are included in burning restrictions already in place for the eastern portion of Roseau County and all of Beltrami, Cass, Cook, Crow Wing, Hubbard, Itasca, Koochiching, Lake of the Woods, Lake, Morrison, St. Louis, Todd and Wadena counties.
Under these restrictions:
- No campfires are allowed for dispersed, remote, or backcountry camping on all lands.
- No campfires – with or without a ring – are allowed on any DNR-managed lands. This applies to all campsites, cabins, picnic and other day-use areas. Camp stoves are permitted.
- On non-DNR-managed lands, campfires may be allowed in established fire rings associated with a home, cabin, campground, or resort. Check with the site manager for possible additional restrictions.
- No fireworks may be ignited on any public or private land outside city limits. Check with your local community for any additional restrictions.
- The state will not issue burning permits for brush or yard waste.
The DNR is also temporarily barring all recreational fires on DNR-managed lands in these additional counties: western portion of Roseau and all of Douglas, Kanabec, Kittson, Mille Lacs, Otter Tail, Pine and Pope counties. These counties are not subject to the other restrictions on non-DNR lands listed above. The burning restrictions will remain in effect until revised or terminated by the DNR commissioner when weather and environmental conditions indicate a significant reduction in fire danger. Tribal nations regulate open burning for their communities.
