REGIONAL— Looking forward to a nice campfire at the cabin this weekend? Better put those plans on hold, according to the Minnesota DNR, which has announced Class IV fire restrictions in much of northeastern Minnesota due to continued dry weather and multiple major wildfires still burning across the region.
Class IV fire restrictions, which are stricter than the regulations enacted earlier this month, are now in effect in all of Lake, Cook, Koochiching, and northern St. Louis counties until further notice. The restrictions include Lake Vermilion-Soudan Underground Mine State Park, Bear Head Lake State Park, and Scenic State Park.
Under Class IV burning restrictions, the following apply:
Campfires or recreational fires are not allowed.
No burning permits will be issued except to state or federal agencies having suppression responsibilities.
Prescribed burning on private lands is prohibited.
Fireworks may not be used outside of municipalities. Use of fireworks within a municipality remains under the municipality’s control.
Welding, acetylene torches, or other devices with open flame are prohibited in proximity to combustible vegetation, except under special permits.
Only gas or propane camp stoves may be used in the backcountry or at campsites.
Charcoal fires are allowed, in a grill designed for that purpose, at occupied homes, cabins, and resorts.
These restrictions align with current burning regulations for the Bois Forte and Grand Portage tribal nations. The U.S. Forest Service has also issued full campfire restrictions for the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness and the Superior National Forest within the affected counties.
“Recent precipitation has not been enough to improve extremely dry conditions,” said Mike Warnke, DNR wildfire administration supervisor. “We need the public’s help to prevent additional fires. One spark can cause a catastrophic wildfire.”
Forecasts call for erratic weather, shifting winds, and the potential for isolated damaging wind gusts and thunderstorms, which will significantly challenge firefighting efforts. With little precipitation and above average temperatures expected, fire danger is likely to remain high until the area receives substantial rainfall. Restrictions will remain in place until lifted by the DNR commissioner.