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Burning restrictions in place for central, NW and NE Minnesota

KAXE
Published March 30, 2026 at 1:25 PM CDT
Contributed
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freestocks.org via Pexels

While spring burning restrictions are in place, the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources will not issue open burning permits for yard waste.

As of Monday, March 30, the state’s Department of Natural Resources issued burning restrictions for parts of central, northwest and northeast Minnesota.

South Beltrami County, including Bemidji, as well as all of Aitkin, Cass, Crow Wing, Hubbard, Itasca, Mille Lacs, Todd and Wadena counties, are impacted by the restrictions prompted by warm temperatures and dry conditions.

Spring burning restrictions as of March 30, 2026.
Contributed
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MN DNR
Spring burning restrictions as of March 30, 2026.

The DNR will not issue open burning permits for brush pile burns until the restrictions are lifted.

“People cause more than 90% of wildfires in Minnesota. Restricting this type of burning in spring has reduce wildfires by 30%,” stated a DNR news release. “If a fire rekindles or escapes, the person who set it is liable for any damage caused, as well as for the costs of wildfire suppression.“

While burning restrictions are in effect, residents are encouraged to use other methods to handle yard waste, such as composting, chipping or taking the brush to a collection site.

Downed trees in Bemidji on October 23, 2025, from an intense storm in late June that knocked down millions of trees in the area.
Local News
Bemidji fire officials brace for spring wildfire season after major storm
Larissa Donovan
An estimated 9 million trees around the Bemidji area were damaged or downed in the June 2025 storm. Bemidji Fire Chief Justin Sherwood said planning for spring fire danger has been ongoing since.

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Local News Minnesota WeatherDroughtWildfireMinnesota Department of Natural ResourcesNorthwest MinnesotaNorth-Central MinnesotaArrowheadKAXE
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