burning

Open-air burning is now restricted in Koochiching and Lake of the Woods Counties.

The Minnesota Department of Natural Resources has added the counties to its list where burning permits are halted until further notice.

The fire danger rating is low, but officials anticipate warm and dry weather over the next several days to change that.

“Warm and dry conditions elevate the risk of wildfires, and restricting open burning helps prevent a burn pile from escaping and becoming a wildfire during times of high risk,” states Karen Harrison, DNR wildfire prevention specialist, in a release.

“These restrictions really do work. They’ve helped reduce wildfires by more than 30% over the past decade.”

Harrison suggests that if people need to dispose of vegetation or yard waste, they consider composting, chipping or taking brush to a collection site as alternative options.

More than 90% of wildfires in Minnesota are human-caused.

There have been more than 125 wildland fires across the state this year, mostly in the southern portion.