Severe drought conditions that continue to persist in northeastern Minnesota have prompted additional burning restrictions from the Department of Natural Resources (DNR).

Effectively immediately and until further notice, campfires are banned in state parks, state forest recreation areas and waysides in Cook, Lake and St. Louis County due to extremely high fire danger. Gas and propane cooking implements are allowed. Charcoal grills are not allowed. Smoking outdoors is permitted but extreme caution is advised.

Restrictions cover state parks and state forest campgrounds in the northeast, including highly visited parks along the North Shore. Affected state parks include: Bear Head Lake, Cascade River, George Crosby Manitou, Gooseberry Falls, Grand Portage, Judge C.R. Magney, McCarthy Beach, Split Rock Lighthouse, Soudan Underground Mine, Temperance River and Tettegouche.

The state forest campgrounds and day-use areas include Ash River Forest campground and day-use area, Wakemup Forest campground and day-use area, Woodenfrog Forest campground and day-use area, Chester Lake Forest campsites, Devilfish Lake Forest campsites, Esther Lake Forest campsites, Grand Portage Accesses day-use area, McFarland Lake Forest campsites, Twin Lakes Forest campsites, Eckbeck Forest campground and day-use area, Finland Forest campground and day-use area, Hinsdale Island Forest campsites, Indian Lake campground and Sullivan Lake Forest campground.

Wayside areas along the North Shore included in this ban are Kodonce River, Devil's Track, Ray Berglund, Caribou Falls and Flood Bay.

Burning restrictions will remain in place until further notice.

For additional information, contact the DNR Information Center at 1-888-MINNDNR or www.dnr.state.mn.us.