(St. Paul, MN) -- The early and rapid snow melt is prompting open burning restrictions across much of central and northern Minnesota. State officials say conditions are so dry that a patch of grassland can go from saturated to bone dry in less than an hour. And that means the danger of wildfires is rising. As of today, open burning restrictions apply in 25 counties - most in the area around the Twin Cities and as far north as Beltrami. One week from today, the ban will spread to 21 more counties including St. Louis and Carlton in the northern third of the state. Campfires and backyard grills are okay - but no other open burning is allowed once the restrictions take effect.
