Burn bans in Minnesota

No county-level burn ban is currently reported by Minnesota Department of Natural Resources for Minnesota. Municipal rules within a county may still apply.

The Minnesota DNR administers a statewide burning-permit system — DNR's own name for the burn permit you need before open burning — with restriction levels ranging from "no permit required" up through "no open burning" set per county (and for a few large counties, per north/south half) based on current fire danger. Levels change through the season as conditions shift — this is not a single up/down ban, but a graduated scale.

Bans are issued by county officials and typically stay in effect until conditions improve or the order expires. Some counties set explicit expiration dates; others leave a ban open-ended until lifted. Check each county's page for the expiration listed on the current order.

Starting a fire without a required permit, or violating permit conditions, is a misdemeanor under Minnesota Statutes §§ 88.16 and 88.17. Minnesota's general misdemeanor sentencing (§ 609.02, subd. 3) caps that at a fine of up to $1,000, up to 90 days in jail, or both. Anyone whose fire escapes and causes damage is also liable for suppression costs and property damage.