Open Burning

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Recreational Fires

A burning permit is not needed for recreational fires less than 3-feet-by-3-feet in size.  However, the City of Cologne requires that recreational fires must:

  • Contain only natural, clean-burning wood
  • Not be conducted within 25 feet of any building. This can be reduced to 15 feet when fully enclosed in a portable fire pit
  • Not be conducted if winds are more than 15 miles per hour or are in the direction of nearby structures
  • Not be conducted if a total burning ban is in effect
  • Have a source of extinguishment nearby (hose, bucket of water, fire extinguisher, etc.)
  • Be supervised at all times until the fire has been extinguished
  • Be discontinued if deemed hazardous or a nuisance by a member of the fire or police department

Burning Permits

For fires larger than three feet by three feet, such as for burning piled wood or brush, an open burning permit must be filed with the City and a $40 fee must be paid upon permit approval. Burning permits for residents living outside the city limits should contact their township fire warden.  A list of wardens, as well as online permit applications can be found here.

If you plan on conducting a prairie grass burn larger than one-half an acre, you must first apply for a permit from the Minnesota DNR. To contact DNR Forestry, call (952) 826-6760.  You must provide a copy of the DNR permit when applying for a local burning permit. Permits are not issued for burns of less than one-half acre.

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