(Editor’s Note: The following article was submitted by Minnesota DNR.)

Recent rain and a return of near-normal temperatures and higher evening humidity have greatly reduced the chance of campfires or open burning causing a wildfire in Cook and Lake counties. In response, the DNR removed burning restrictions in those counties on Sept. 21. Cook and Lake counties were the last two Minnesota counties under DNR-mandated burning restrictions.

The DNR will continue to monitor conditions and will reinstate county-specific burning restrictions if necessary. Of upmost importance is protecting the health and safety of the public and firefighters.

An area around the Greenwood Fire remains closed to the public. Under current fire operations, the incident management team for the Greenwood Fire needs to be aware of all personnel entering the area to ensure firefighter and public safety.