Minnesota · Burn Bans

Before

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. RESTRICTIONS EASED IN 21 COUNTIES ON OCTOBER 11, 2026 BUT REMAIN IN 20 OF THE DNR'S 92 COUNTY UNITS: the DNR's burning-restrictions data, with county entries updated through October 11, 2026, shows NO OPEN BURNING (campfires allowed) in 5 counties: Brown, McLeod, Pine, Watonwan and Yellow Medicine. RESTRICTED - AGENCY APPROVED PERMITS ONLY in 8 counties: Benton, Kanabec, Mille Lacs, Morrison, Sherburne, Stearns, Todd and Wright. RESTRICTED - VARIANCE PERMITS ONLY in 7 counties: Anoka, Chisago, Hennepin, Isanti, Itasca, Ramsey and Washington. The other 72 units read Permits Required: a DNR burning permit is needed before you burn brush or yard waste. They include Cook, Lake and both St. Louis County units, and 21 counties the DNR lifted out of the No Open Burning level on October 11, 2026: Big Stone, Blue Earth, Chippewa, Cottonwood, Faribault, Jackson, Kandiyohi, Lac qui Parle, Lincoln, Lyon, Martin, Meeker, Murray, Nicollet, Nobles, Pipestone, Redwood, Renville, Rock, Sibley and Swift. No county is at the top level, Elevated Burning Restrictions. The DNR changes these county by county, often daily, so check the DNR restrictions map for your county before burning or lighting any fire.

Now

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. RESTRICTIONS LIFTED IN 19 MORE COUNTIES ON OCTOBER 12, 2026 AND NOW REMAIN IN ONLY 1 OF THE DNR'S 92 COUNTY UNITS: the DNR's burning-restrictions data, with county entries updated through October 12, 2026, shows NO OPEN BURNING (campfires allowed) in Brown County only. On October 12, 2026 the DNR moved these 19 counties back to Permits Required: McLeod, Pine, Watonwan and Yellow Medicine (previously No Open Burning); Benton, Kanabec, Mille Lacs, Morrison, Sherburne, Stearns, Todd and Wright (previously Restricted - Agency Approved Permits Only); and Anoka, Chisago, Hennepin, Isanti, Itasca, Ramsey and Washington (previously Restricted - Variance Permits Only). The other 91 units, including Cook, Lake and both St. Louis County units, read Permits Required: a DNR burning permit is needed before you burn brush or yard waste. No county is at the top level, Elevated Burning Restrictions. The DNR changes these county by county, often daily, so check the DNR restrictions map for your county before burning or lighting any fire.