Burning restrictions extended to more counties

Three new counties will be added to the burning restrictions starting April 18, the MN Department of Natural Resources announced.

The counties being restricted include: Koochiching, Lake of the Woods, and southern St. Louis (south of a line running from Silica on the west to Central Lakes and Brimson on the east).

The grand total has been brought to 40 counties under burning restrictions this spring.

The fire danger rating for most of the state is high, including most of southwestern Minnesota where the rating is set at extreme, the highest rating, which is classified by "explosive" and damaging wildfires.

There have been more than 450 wildfires in Minnesota burning more than 3,700 acres this year, the Pioneer Press reported.

Most of central Minnesota has been under burning restrictions since mid-March.

Burning restrictions do not apply to campfires, but instead for burning brush or yard waste. Restrictions typically last four to six weeks until sufficient vegetation has grown back from winter.

The department says most of Minnesota’s wildfires happen in April and May. 95 percent are caused by people.

You can see the burning restrictions for the entire state and check the risk of fire here.