Burn permits now restricted in Lake and Cook County due to dry conditions

Burn permits are now restricted in Cook and Lake counties for anyone looking to burn vegetative debris – such as brush, grass, leaves, and untreated wood.

Due to forecasted warm conditions and an ongoing drying trend, Minnesota Department of Natural Resource (DNR) officials have put in place burn permit restrictions beginning Thursday, Sept. 26.

Aaron Mielke, a wildland firefighter and forester with the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources said given the lack of precipitation in the forecast for the Arrowhead region, he anticipates leaving the restrictions in place until adequate precipitation is received to ease conditions.

As burn permit restrictions go into effect, Mielke said, “Variances may be obtained on a case by case basis at a DNR Forestry Office.”

According to the National Weather Service in Duluth, warm and dry conditions will persist throughout the weekend. Many areas along Lake Superior, particularly in Duluth, have experienced an exceptionally dry Sept.

“September precipitation at Duluth is only 0.31″, the 2nd lowest of all time,” the Duluth National Weather Service said in a Facebook post.

Click here to learn more about the DNR’s burn permit requirements.

Kalli Hawkins September 26, 2024