July 29, 2026
The Minnesota Department of Natural Resources is removing Class IV burning restrictions in Cook, Koochiching, Lake, and northern St. Louis counties, as well as the entirety of the George Washington State Forest and Scenic State Park, including the portions in Itasca County, effective Wednesday, July 29 at 12:01 a.m. Recent rain has reduced, although not eliminated, wildfire risk in parts of northeastern Minnesota, therefore Class III restrictions remain in place in some of this area.
Removing Class IV restrictions allows campfires and recreational fires on private land, resorts and staffed campgrounds, as well as welding, acetylene torches, or other devices with open flame used in proximity to combustible vegetation
Class III burning restrictions remain in place for Cook, Lake, and northern St. Louis counties on non‑Tribal lands in the designated areas. Class III restrictions mean:
- Campfires are not allowed for dispersed, remote, backpacking, or backcountry camping, whether there is a designated fire ring or not. Likewise, on state lands, campfires are not allowed in state forests, including their campgrounds, state day-use or recreational areas, or backpacking sites in state parks.
- Campfires are allowed only in an established fire ring associated with a state park, home, cabin, staffed permanent campground, or resort. No burning of brush or yard waste is allowed.
- Burning permits will not be issued or activated.
- No fireworks may be ignited on any public or private land outside city limits. Municipalities determine firework restrictions within their borders.
The U.S. Forest Service is continuing its full burning ban for the entire Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness. DNR’s revised burning restrictions align with modified restrictions by the U.S. Forest Service elsewhere in the Superior National Forest, as well as those of the Bois Forte Band of Chippewa and the Grand Portage Band of Lake Superior Chippewa.
The DNR will continue to monitor conditions and will adjust county-specific burning restrictions as necessary. The health and safety of the public and firefighters is paramount. Check the fire danger and burning restrictions map for up-to-date information at mndnr.gov/burnrestrictions.