The Minnesota Department of Natural Resources (DNR) has announced that Kittson, Lake of the Woods, Marshall, Pennington, and Roseau counties will not be issued permits for open burning of brush and yard waste until further notice. This decision comes as warm and dry weather increases the risk of wildfires across the state.Burning of vegetative debris is a leading cause of wildfires in Minnesota, and restrictions are implemented to mitigate this risk. Additional counties, including Becker, Beltrami, Clay, Clearwater, Hubbard, Mahnomen, Norman, Polk, and Red Lake, among others, also remain under burning restrictions.
With the high potential for wildfires this spring, residents are urged to exercise caution, especially on dry, windy days, as any spark could lead to a dangerous blaze. Individuals who start fires are liable for any resulting damage and wildfire suppression costs. In North Dakota, Eddy, Nelson, Griggs, and Barnes counties are under a Red Flag warning for critical fire weather conditions. The National Weather Service anticipates that counties along the Red River Valley will be added to this warning over the weekend.