As snow fades, burn permit restrictions take effect

With fading snow and warming temperatures across the state, the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources (DNR) has begun implementing burning restrictions.

Burning restrictions will take effect for much of the Arrowhead region on Monday, April 14, including Cook, Lake, northern St. Louis, Lake of the Woods, and Koochiching Counties.

Although fire danger remains low as of April 9, burning restrictions will apply for individuals who intend to burn vegetative debris – such as brush, grass, leaves, and untreated wood and have less than 3 inches of snow on the ground.

“Much of the area still has considerable snowpack, and this is bound to cause some confusion until our snowpack is gone,” said Aaron Mielke, a forester and wildland firefighter at the Grand Marais DNR office.

If an individual has more than 3 inches of snow, which is most of the inland areas, such as farther up the Gunflint Trail, the burning restrictions do not apply.

“Restrictions do not apply, and they would still be able to complete their burning,” Mielke said. “Variance permits may be issued on a case-by-case basis from a DNR Forestry Office for prescribed burns and construction-type projects.”

Mielke said that homeowners and individuals burning vegetative debris without the required 3 inches of snow will not receive regular burning permits until significant green-up occurs.

In Cook County and across the Arrowhead region, temperatures are expected to hover in the 40s throughout the weekend with minimal amounts of precipitation in the forecast.

The DNR said that escaped fire from burning vegetative debris is Minnesota’s number one cause of wildfires, and burning restrictions help reduce wildfire risk.

“People might not realize how easily a fire can accidentally get out of control when it’s dry outside,” said Karen Harrison, DNR wildfire prevention specialist. “By restricting burning during periods of high wildfire risk, we’ve significantly reduced the number of wildfires Minnesota has experienced over the past decade.”

Earlier this week, on April 8, burning restrictions for the state’s southern regions took effect. On April 9, a red flag warning was in effect for eight southwest Minnesota counties due to high winds and low relative humidity.

DNR Fire Danger April 9

For more information and daily updates on current fire risk and open burning restrictions, visit the DNR’s statewide fire danger and burning restrictions page.

Kalli Hawkins April 11, 2025