Live fire restrictions & Red Flag Warnings · National Weather Service
🔴 Red Flag Warning
Critical fire weather — extreme danger, high winds, low humidity. Burning is typically banned statewide and by county.
🟠 Fire Weather Watch
Dangerous conditions developing within 24–72 hrs. Monitor for upgrade to Red Flag Warning and imminent restrictions.
⚠️ County bans may differ
Minnesota county burn bans and USFS Stage 1–3 restrictions are separate — always confirm with your local fire authority.
Checking Minnesota fire-weather alerts…
The NWS map above shows fire-weather alerts — for the legally binding burn ban status, go directly to the official Minnesota source:
Minnesota DNRFire rating & burning restrictionsOpen official source ↗Also check your county government website — a county burn ban can be in effect even when Minnesota has no statewide restriction.
🚫 Prohibited
✓ Usually Still Allowed
Always confirm with the issuing agency — specific orders vary.
County burn bans in Minnesota are issued separately from state-level restrictions — a county can be under a burn ban even when the rest of the state is not. County commissioners, the county fire marshal, or the county judge typically issue these orders, and they are not reflected in NWS alerts shown on the map above.
The Minnesota DNR publishes an interactive statewide map updated daily showing county-level fire danger ratings and burning restrictions. Two separate maps cover fire danger and active permit restrictions, with date stamps and downloadable versions; the page refreshes every 5 minutes during active fire season.
Minnesota County Burn Bans & Fire Restrictions — Minnesota DNRView county map ↗Federal land managers use a tiered system that escalates as fire danger increases. Stage restrictions apply only to the land they are issued for — your county may have a separate burn ban on private land.
Open burning prohibited. Campfires may still be allowed in designated fire rings at developed campgrounds. Portable gas and pressurized-liquid stoves are typically allowed in cleared areas.
All open fires prohibited — including campfires in developed campgrounds. Gas stoves may be allowed in cleared areas. Chainsaw use and motorized off-road vehicles restricted.
Maximum restriction before full closure. All fires may be prohibited. Motorized vehicle use off designated roads, shooting, and spark-producing tools are typically banned.
State or county-level complete ban on all open burning — campfires, burn barrels, brush and agricultural burning. Gas and propane grills for cooking are usually still allowed.
Area is fully closed — no public access or fire-related activity of any kind is permitted.
Typically equivalent to Stage 1. Open burning prohibited; campfires in developed campgrounds may still be allowed. Common on BLM land in NV, OR, and ID.
Agency-specific restriction with unique terms. Always read the specific order from the issuing land management office — scope varies significantly.
Oregon ODF Industrial Fire Precaution Level — applies to industrial operations (logging, equipment) on ODF-protected state and private forestland. IFPL I is the lowest level; IFPL IV is the most restrictive. Separate from USFS campfire restrictions.
Restriction scope and exact prohibitions vary by agency and order. Always confirm with the issuing land management office or visit the official source linked above.
Online burning permits cost $5 (transaction fee) and are valid for the full calendar year; they must be activated daily before burning by visiting apps.dnr.state.mn.us/burning-permits or calling/texting 1-866-533-2876. Free 3-day written permits are available from DNR Forestry offices and fire wardens. Permits are required in DNR fire protection areas whenever ground lacks 3+ inches of snow cover. Permits cover small amounts of dry leaves, plant clippings, and brush; burning more than 3 piles or piles larger than 20 x 20 feet requires a variance from a local DNR Forestry office.
Get Minnesota burning permit ↗Or call the Minnesota forestry hotline: 888-646-6367 (MINNDNR) or 651-296-6157; burn permit activation line: 1-866-533-2876
Minnesota's fire season peaks sharply in April and May, when roughly 75% of all wildfires occur — snow has melted but new vegetation has not greened up, leaving dry grasses and leaf litter highly combustible. Northern counties (Cook, Lake, St. Louis, Koochiching) face the longest and most severe restrictions due to dense boreal forest and later green-up. A secondary fall fire window emerges in October–November after first frost kills vegetation but before snow arrives.
Statewide or regional burn bans and open-burning suspensions on state and private land.
County-wide burn bans — the level that most often affects homeowners and is easy to miss.
Stage 1–3 fire restrictions and closures on national forests, parks, and other federal land.
Municipal open-burning rules, fireworks bans, and local red-flag restrictions.
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The live map and status strip above show active Red Flag Warnings and Fire Weather Watches from the National Weather Service for Minnesota. For the legally binding answer, check the official Minnesota source: Minnesota DNR at https://www.dnr.state.mn.us/forestry/fire/firerating_restrictions.html. Also confirm with your county — a county burn ban can be in effect even when no statewide restriction exists.
During an active burn ban, Minnesota prohibits: Open burning of brush, leaves, and vegetative debris without a valid, activated DNR burning permit in restricted areas; All open burning of any kind (including recreational campfires) during a full DNR burning ban; Burning hazardous wastes, tires, plastics, painted or treated wood, rubber, or drywall at any time; Igniting fireworks on any public or private land outside city limits when burning restrictions are in effect; Burning piles larger than 20 feet by 20 feet or more than three piles without a DNR variance permit; Burning when fire danger is rated High or Extreme in your county without checking daily restriction status; Burning vegetative debris in counties under elevated spring burning restrictions (permits not issued). Typically still allowed: Recreational campfires up to 3 feet diameter by 3 feet high with 5-foot clearance during burning permit restrictions (not full bans); Gas and charcoal grills at occupied homes, cabins, and resorts — devices must be designed for grilling; Burning dry leaves, plant clippings, brush, and clean untreated/unpainted wood with a valid activated permit when not under restrictions; Burning when ground has continuous unbroken snow cover of 3 inches or more (no permit required); DNR-authorized prescribed burns with proper approval. Always verify the specific order with Minnesota DNR — prohibited activities can vary by jurisdiction and restriction level.
Gas and propane grills used for cooking on private residential property are typically allowed during a Minnesota burn ban. Charcoal grills may be permitted in calm conditions but check the specific order. Wood-fired grills, outdoor fire pits, and campfires are usually prohibited. Always verify with Minnesota DNR before lighting anything.
Multiple authorities can issue burn bans in Minnesota independently: Minnesota DNR for statewide or regional orders; Minnesota DNR Commissioner (statewide restrictions) and County Board of Commissioners (local general permits and ban authority under MN Stat. § 88.17) for county-wide bans that affect most homeowners; federal land managers (U.S. Forest Service, BLM, NPS) for Stage 1–3 restrictions on federal land; and cities or local fire districts for additional local rules. A county burn ban can be active even with no statewide restriction — always check both.
Burn bans in Minnesota have no fixed duration — they are issued when fire danger is high and lifted when conditions improve, which can happen overnight or persist for weeks during drought. Red Flag Warnings from the NWS typically last 24–48 hours. State and county burn bans are lifted separately. Check the issuing agency daily during dry, windy conditions.
Minnesota's fire season peaks sharply in April and May, when roughly 75% of all wildfires occur — snow has melted but new vegetation has not greened up, leaving dry grasses and leaf litter highly combustible. Northern counties (Cook, Lake, St. Louis, Koochiching) face the longest and most severe restrictions due to dense boreal forest and later green-up. A secondary fall fire window emerges in October–November after first frost kills vegetation but before snow arrives.
Online burning permits cost $5 (transaction fee) and are valid for the full calendar year; they must be activated daily before burning by visiting apps.dnr.state.mn.us/burning-permits or calling/texting 1-866-533-2876. Free 3-day written permits are available from DNR Forestry offices and fire wardens. Permits are required in DNR fire protection areas whenever ground lacks 3+ inches of snow cover. Permits cover small amounts of dry leaves, plant clippings, and brush; burning more than 3 piles or piles larger than 20 x 20 feet requires a variance from a local DNR Forestry office.
Violating a Minnesota burn ban can result in: Violating burning permit conditions: misdemeanor under MN Stat. § 88.17 — up to $1,000 fine and/or 90 days imprisonment; Permit revocation for any violation of permit conditions; Civil liability for all fire suppression costs if fire escapes (personnel, equipment, damages); Enhanced gross misdemeanor or felony charges possible if violation causes significant property damage or endangers lives; People cause over 90% of MN wildfires — anyone whose fire rekindled or escaped is liable for suppression costs regardless of permit status.
Sign up for free FireRisk.ai fire alerts below — we'll notify you when the NWS issues a Red Flag Warning for your area of Minnesota. For county burn ban alerts, register with your county emergency management system (Nixle, Everbridge, or your county's sign-up page). Monitor Minnesota DNR at https://www.dnr.state.mn.us/forestry/fire/firerating_restrictions.html for statewide orders.
FireRisk.ai aggregates live fire-weather alerts from the National Weather Service and links to official Minnesota agency sources. Burn ban status changes daily — always confirm with the official source and your county before any outdoor burning. This page is for awareness only and is not an official or legal notice. For fire emergencies call 911.
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