Minnesota is experiencing a drought like never before. This is not new news.

Starting Tuesday, August 17th, the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources is expanding burning restrictions across 34 counties, mostly in central and northern Minnesota (also known as cabin territory).

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This step, done by the DNR, is to protect natural resources and help ensure public safety. As some may know, over the weekend, a wildfire broke in the arrowhead region of Minnesota. 

Open burning and some campfires are restricted in the following counties:

  • Aitkin
  • Benton
  • Carlton
  • Clay
  • Douglas
  • Grant
  • Kittson
  • Lake of The Woods
  • Marshall
  • Mille Lacs
  • Morrison
  • Norman
  • Pennington
  • Polk
  • Red Lake
  • Sherburne
  • Stearns
  • St. Louis County (excluding tribal trust lands)
  • Todd
  • Wright
  • Roseau (excluding tribal trust lands)

What do the restrictions fully entail in these counties?

According to a press release from the DNR, these are the new regulations:

  • "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, attended campfires or recreational fires may be allowed in established fire rings associated with an occupied 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 the local community for any additional restrictions.
  • The state will not issue burning permits for brush or yard waste."

These 14 counties are also subject to these restrictions, plus ALL campfires and recreational fires are banned. 

  • Becker
  • Beltrami
  • Cass
  • Clearwater
  • Cook
  • Crow Wing
  • Hubbard
  • Itasca
  • Koochiching
  • Lake
  • Mahnomen
  • Otter Trail
  • The northern portion of St. Louis
  • Wadena
Minnesota Department of Natural Resources
Minnesota Department of Natural Resources
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“Don’t do any burning right now, and be extremely cautious with any other activity where heat or sparks could start a wildfire,” advised Allissa Reynolds, DNR acting wildfire prevention supervisor. 

For more information about burning restrictions, head here

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