Restrictions on open burning take effect

Restrictions on open burning take effect Monday across a swath of central Minnesota.

The annual spring burning ban covers counties from Dakota northwest to Otter Tail.

Additional northern counties will be added on April 21.

There have already been a few small fires in the central part of the state, said Minnesota Interagency Fire Center Information Officer Jean Goad.

"That's very typical of this time of the year. Most of the fires in Minnesota do occur during that time between when the snow melts and green up. And that's traditionally in April and May," Goad said.

Portions of southern, central and northern Minnesota are listed as abnormally dry or in drought condition in the most recent U.S. drought monitor.

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