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 OPEN BURNING IN 8 SOUTHWEST MINNESOTA COUNTIES: on October 17, 2026 the DNR moved Cottonwood, Jackson, Lincoln, Lyon, Murray, Nobles, Pipestone and Rock counties to "No Open Burning - Campfires Allowed", so open burning of brush, yard waste or debris is not allowed there; the map's level name says campfires are still allowed. 18 CENTRAL MINNESOTA COUNTIES ARE RESTRICTED: since October 16, 2026, Aitkin, Anoka, Benton, Cass (southern unit), Chisago, Crow Wing, Hennepin, Isanti, Kanabec, Mille Lacs, Morrison, Pine, Ramsey, Sherburne, Stearns, Todd, Washington and Wright counties have been at "Restricted - Agency Approved Permits Only", so in those counties burning permits are limited to agency-approved permits and you should not plan to burn brush or yard waste on an ordinary permit. The other 66 of the map's 92 county units, including Cook, Lake, both St. Louis County units, northern Cass and Brown, remain at Permits Required: a DNR burning permit is needed before you burn brush or yard waste. No county is at Restricted - Variance Permits Only or at the top level, Elevated Burning Restrictions. The DNR changes these levels county by county, often daily, so check the DNR restrictions map for your county before burning or lighting any fire.