Minnesota DNR announces restricted open burning due to increased wildfire risk due to dry conditions across much of the state

The Minnesota Department of Natural Resources is restricting open burning due to increased wildfire risk from dry conditions across much of Minnesota.

The burning restrictions apply for Mower County and other counties around our KAUS listening area including Freeborn, Dodge, Fillmore, Olmsted, Steele and Waseca.

The DNR will not issue permits for open burning of brush or yard waste in these counties until the burning restrictions are lifted. Residents should also take care with backyard campfires.  DNR officials stated that extreme drought conditions in combination with dry fall vegetation, low humidity, and wind make for dangerous fire conditions, and they added that restricting open burning prevents a burn pile from escaping and becoming a wildfire.

Burning restrictions will be adjusted as conditions change.