DNR: Burning Restrictions Begin For Most Of Minn.

MINNEAPOLIS (WCCO) – Burning restrictions began Monday for 35 Minnesota counties, including Hennepin, Wright and Dakota, the Department of Natural Resources said.

The restrictions come – as you might have guessed – due to the unusually warm weather. The dry vegetation is at risk of wild fire. Until the vegetation turns green, burning will not be allowed unless a special permit is obtained from a local forestry office, the DNR said.

Permits can be written for extenuating circumstances like time-sensitive construction projects and burning conducted by professional firefighters. The use of campfires, however, will continue to be allowed if the fire is smaller than 3 feet in diameter and 4 feet in height; it must also be monitored until the coals have cooled. Campfires will be allowed unless limited by local jurisdiction.

On April 2, restrictions will be placed on the counties of Beltrami (north of Highway 1), Cook, Koochiching, Lake, Lake of the Woods, Roseau (east of Highway 89), and St. Louis, the DNR said.

Nearly all Minnesota wildfires that spark up in the spring are caused by people.