Burning Restrictions Now Expanding Throughout Minnesota

Spring in Minnesota comes with a lot to look forward to, including warmer days, longer evenings, and the urge to finally get outside and tackle the yard work that's been waiting since last fall.

For many Minnesotans, that means burning brush and yard debris. However, as dry and warm weather continues to spread across the state, the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources has been expanding its open burning restrictions, and if you live in one of the affected counties, you need to know what that means before you strike a match.

Burning restrictions prohibit the open burning of vegetative debris, including brush and yard waste, in designated counties during periods of elevated wildfire risk. The DNR will not issue permits for that kind of burning in restricted counties until conditions improve and restrictions are lifted.

That's because escaped fire from burning vegetative debris is the number one cause of wildfires in Minnesota. When conditions are warm, dry, and windy, what starts as a small brush pile can become a wildfire faster than most people expect.

It's also worth noting that if a fire rekindles or escapes, the person who set it is liable for any damage caused and the costs of wildfire suppression. That's not a fine you want to find out about the hard way.

Get our free mobile app

Cook and Lake Counties Added To Burning Restrictions

As of Saturday, May 2, at 8:00 a.m., the DNR added Cook and Lake counties to the list of counties under open burning restrictions.

That addition brings the total number of Minnesota counties currently under burning restrictions to 46. Here is the full list:

• Aitkin
• Anoka
• Becker
• Beltrami
• Benton
• Carlton
• Cass
• Chisago
• Clay
• Clearwater
• Cook
• Crow Wing
• Douglas
• Grant
• Hennepin
• Hubbard
• Isanti
• Itasca
• Kanabec
• Kittson
• Koochiching
• Lake
• Lake of the Woods
• Mahnomen
• Marshall
• Mille Lacs
• Morrison
• Norman
• Otter Tail
• Pennington
• Pine
• Polk
• Pope
• Ramsey
• Red Lake
• Roseau
• Sherburne
• St. Louis
• Stearns
• Stevens
• Todd
• Traverse
• Wadena
• Washington
• Wilkin
• Wright

If you need to dispose of vegetation or yard waste while restrictions are in place, the DNR recommends composting, chipping, or taking brush to a collection site as safe alternatives. More information on those options is available on the DNR's composting for woodland owners page.

SEE NOW: The Worst Small City To Start A Business Right Now In Minnesota

Burning restrictions will be adjusted as conditions change. For daily updates on current fire risk and the latest open burning restrictions across Minnesota, visit the DNR's statewide fire danger and burning restrictions page.