The National Weather Service has issued a Red Flag Warning for five counties in northeastern Minnesota effective Sunday, July 12, from noon until 9 p.m. due to extreme fire danger. 

Affected counties include Cook, Itasca, Koochiching, Lake, and St. Louis. 

A Red Flag Warning means fires can spread quickly and grow out of control under the predicted weather conditions, including very hot temperatures, gusty winds, and low relative humidity. Do not burn in counties where a Red Flag Warning is in effect and check any recent burning to ensure the coals are completely out cold.  

The DNR will not issue or activate open burning permits during the Red Flag Warning and campfires are strongly discouraged. People should use extreme caution when doing activities that can cause sparks or heat near vegetation by securing trailer chains, parking ATVs on gravel or pavement, and using chainsaws or other equipment outside of the Red Flag warning hours.

Fire Weather Watch for northwest Minnesota today

Additionally, a Fire Weather Watch has been issued for several counties in northwest Minnesota where very hot temperatures, wind, and low relative humidity are predicted to produce near-critical fire weather conditions. Outdoor burning is discouraged. Fire Weather Watches are evolving situations and could quickly progress to Red Flag conditions. Visit the National Weather Service (weather.gov) for updates.

Enhanced burning restrictions begin at 8 a.m.

Today, at 8 a.m. enhanced burning restrictions will also begin in Cook, Lake, and northern St. Louis counties. 

This means:

• Campfires are not allowed for dispersed, remote, backpacking, or backcountry camping on all state-managed, private, and local lands, whether there is a designated fire ring, or not. On state lands, this means campfires are not allowed in state forests, including their campgrounds, state day-use or recreational areas, or backpacking sites in state parks.
• Fireworks are not allowed outside city limits. 
• Burning restrictions will not be issued or activated. 

These restrictions are consistent with burning restrictions that are being implemented by the Bois Forte Band of Chippewa and Voyageurs National Park. In addition, the U.S. Forest Service has issued restrictions for all campfires in the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness and Superior National Forest.

Map showing the counties with a Red Flag warning in pink and fire weather watch in orange.

Learn More

Red Flag Warnings and Fire Weather Watches are evolving situations. Visit the National Weather Service (weather.gov) for updates. 

For more information and daily updates visit the statewide fire danger and burning restrictions page of the DNR website.

To receive text updates on current fire risk and open burning restrictions in Minnesota text “FIRE” to 66468