Minnesota DNR lifts burning restrictions in 14 counties

With wildfire containment rising and cooler weather approaching, the Department of Natural Resources (DNR) has announced they are lifting burning restrictions for 14 counties beginning Wednesday.

Those included are Beltrami, Becker, Cass, Clearwater, Crow Wing, Hubbard, Itasca, Koochiching, Lake of the Woods, Mahnomen, Ottertail, St. Louis, Roseau, and Wadena counties.

Burning restrictions remain in effect for in Cook and Lake counties.

For those areas with lifted restrictions, recreational fires are sure to pop up so officials are offering reminders for homeowners and fire makers to keep in mind.

"You can’t burn rubbish, you can’t burn anything other than clean, dry, firewood," said Duluth’s Deputy Fire Chief, Jon Otis. "Those fires need to be at least 25 feet from a combustible structure and they need to be contained in some way."

Larry Himanga, a Wildfire spokesperson for the DNR, says it’s best to start fires when the winds are down, when there is higher humidity and later in the evening.

And though restrictions are loosening, officials emphasize that risks still remain when starting a fire.

For more information on the restrictions being lifted, visit the DNR’s website.