Open fire restrictions lifted in northeast Minnesota

Fire restrictions put in place by the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources (DNR) will be lifted on Friday, October 25 at 12:01 a.m. This includes Cook, Koochiching, Lake and the northern portion of St. Louis counties. The restrictions had been in place since October 10 due to dry conditions.

Officials say recent rains and improved humidity have reduced the wildfire risk in northeast Minnesota, although it is important to note that there is still a risk.

“While conditions have improved, fire danger remains a concern with how dry it’s been,” Karen Harrison, DNR wildfire prevention specialist said in a release on Thursday. “At this time of year wildfires can become large and spread rapidly. As leaves fall and vegetation continues to dry out, it’s important for people to be cautious with anything that can cause a spark.”

This action lifts restrictions on state and private lands, including those placed on campfires in dispersed, remote, backpacking, or backcountry areas. It also lifts the ban on burning of brush or yard waste and the use of fireworks outside city limits.

The DNR says burning permits are still required for anything larger than a campfire.

Fire restrictions had also been lifted by the U.S. Forest Service for the Superior National Forest and the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness, and the Tribal nations of Grand Portage Band of Lake Superior Chippewa and Bois Forte Band of Chippewa for their respective Tribal lands.

Harrison offers the following specific guidance:

• Get a burning permit for any large fire and activate it the day you plan to burn. Activation of burning permits will be decided based on local conditions.
• Be safe with campfires. Keep it small (3 feet in diameter by 3 feet in height or smaller) and in an established fire ring. Never leave a fire unattended and drown-stir-repeat until it is out cold before you leave. If it is too hot to touch, it is too hot to leave.
• Make sure Off Highway Vehicles have a spark arrestor and park them on pavement or gravel when possible, to avoid igniting a wildfire.

The DNR will continue to monitor conditions and adjust county-specific burning restrictions as necessary. Check the fire danger and burning restrictions map for current information at mndnr.gov/burnrestrictions.