Burn Bans

Minnesota requires a DNR burning permit for open debris burning statewide, and restrictions are set county-by-county on the DNR's burning-restrictions map, which is updated daily. NO ELEVATED BURNING RESTRICTIONS ARE IN EFFECT ANYWHERE IN MINNESOTA: on the DNR's burning-restrictions data read September 30, 2026 (latest county entry carries a September 4, 2026 data stamp), all 92 listed county units read "Permits Required" - including Cook, Lake and both St. Louis County units, which carried elevated restrictions through the summer. The July 20 elevated-restriction order has been lifted, and with it the bar on issuing or activating burning permits, the bar on campfires for dispersed, remote, backpacking and backcountry camping, and the bar on igniting fireworks outside city limits in the affected counties. What remains is the ordinary statewide baseline: a DNR burning permit is required before you burn brush or yard waste. The DNR can re-impose elevated restrictions within a day if fire danger climbs, so check the DNR restrictions map for your county before burning or lighting any fire.