DNR issue burnin restrictions!

[Lee Borgersen]

 DNR issues open burning restrictions!

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BEMIDJI—The Minnesota Department of Natural Resources announced Monday that the state will restrict open burning in parts of Beltrami County due to an increased wildfire risk.

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According to the DNR's website, it will not issue any burn permits for the northern portion of Beltrami County, but may issue variance permits for restricted burning in the southern portion below Lower Red Lake.


This means that people in the southern part of the county may not burn brush or yard waste until the ban is lifted. Anyone who violates the restrictions can be held "financially responsible" if the fire spreads and burns other property.

Campfires are still allowed.

Fire danger in Beltrami County ranged from "high" to "very high" Monday. Fires may start easily and can spread very quickly.

Though the Bemidji Fire Department did not respond to any fires within city limits over the weekend, DNR personnel responded to 14 wildfires in its northwest region between Friday night and the end of the day Sunday. The fires did not damage any structures, and no one was hurt.

On Sunday, the National Weather Service issued a "Red Flag Warning" for eastern Minnesota; the same warning was issued for central and northwestern Minnesota earlier in the week. A Red Flag Warning means that warm temperatures, low humidity and strong winds have combined to increase the risk of wildfires.

This year's fire season took off Saturday, April 21, when the Bemidji Fire Department responded to three different wildfires.

In addition to northern Beltrami County, the DNR says open burning is also banned in Anoka, Benton, Chisago, Clay, Douglas, Grant, Hennepin, Isanti, Kanabec, Kittson, Lake of the Woods, Marshall, Mille Lacs, Morrison, Norman, Otter Tail, Pennington, Pine, Pope, Ramsey, Roseau, Sherburne, Stearns, Stevens, Todd, Traverse, Wadena, Wilkin and Wright counties.

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He also encourages residents to use alternatives to burning, such as composting, chipping, or taking brush to a collection site. Those who burn debris can be held financially responsible if their fire escapes and burns other property.

Burning restrictions for additional counties will be added as conditions change, officials said.

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