Burning restriction to be lifted May 26 for 10 Minnesota counties

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Burning restriction to be lifted May 26 for 10 Minnesota counties
(Released May 19, 2011)


Due to the greening of vegetation and recent rainfall, the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources has announced that burning restrictions will be lifted for 10 counties.


Effective at 8 a.m. on May 26, people residing in the following counties will be able to request a permit to burn from local forestry offices or from volunteer fire wardens: Beltrami, Clearwater, Itasca, Kittson, Mahnomen, Marshall, Pennington, Polk, Roseau, and St Louis south of a line between townships 55 and 56 north that runs west/east from the towns of Silica to Central Lakes to Brimson.

“While it seems like springtime green-up has been slow, the progression to summertime conditions is about on target for the state,” said Ron Stoffel, fire program supervisor. “We anticipate restrictions will be lifted in the last five counties within 10 days.”

Residents in counties where online permits are available can also purchase a $5 permit that is valid for the remainder of the calendar year. The website can be accessed at: http://webapps1.dnr.state.mn.us/burning_permits.

While restrictions will be removed in these 10 counties, municipalities and cities may decide to maintain open burning restrictions longer. People living in a municipality or city should talk with local authorities to find out when burning permits will be available.

Counties that remain under restrictions include the northernmost in Minnesota, where cool weather has hampered the greening of vegetation.

Even though restrictions remain in effect for some counties, campfires are still allowed statewide if kept to no more than three feet in size.