Stearns County, MN Fire Regulations: Fire Pits & Backyard Fires (2026)
Fire pit rules in Stearns County, MN, also called outdoor burning, recreational fire, or open flame ordinances, cover fuel types, clearances, and when burning is allowed.
Key Facts
- Governing law
- Ordinance 594, Sec. 6
- Allowed devices
- Fireplace, portable grill, stove, fire ring
- Attendance rule
- Fires attended at all times (Sec. 6.2)
- Misdemeanor fine
- $700 (Sec. 11.1)
- Max jail term
- 90 days (Sec. 11.1)
Summary
Fires along Stearns County recreational trails must burn only in a fireplace, portable fire grill, stove or fire ring under Ordinance 594, Section 6.1, and every fire must be attended at all times per Section 6.2.
6.1 Fires along a County Recreational Trail are permitted only in fireplaces, portable fire grills, stove or fire rings. 6.2 Fires shall be attended at all times.
Full Breakdown
1 states fires "are permitted only in fireplaces, portable fire grills, stove or fire rings," which rules out ground fires, brush burning or loose campfires anywhere along the trail corridor. 2 adds a continuous-supervision duty, requiring that "fires shall be attended at all times," so a trail user cannot light a fire and walk away even briefly. 1 requires a Director-issued permit before removing or damaging plants, wildlife or property along a trail, underscoring that trail fires are meant for camp-style cooking and warmth rather than debris disposal.
Because Ordinance 594 governs County Recreational Trails specifically and was adopted under Minn. Stat. Secs. 35 for park and trail administration, its fire rule applies to the trail corridor itself; it does not set the burning rules for a resident's backyard fire pit on private property elsewhere in unincorporated Stearns County, which falls under separate county or state open-burning authority. 11's general closure authority if fire conditions warrant.
Violations & Fines
Building or maintaining an unattended fire, or a fire outside a fireplace, portable grill, stove or fire ring, on a county trail violates Sections 6.1-6.2, and Section 11.1 makes any Ordinance 594 violation a misdemeanor with a fine of $700 or up to 90 days imprisonment, or both, enforced by the Director, park staff and the Stearns County Sheriff under Section 11.2.
Frequently Asked Questions
Where can I build a fire on a Stearns County recreational trail?
Can I leave a trail fire burning while I hike ahead?
What is the penalty for an illegal fire on a county trail?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Stearns County
How Stearns County compares: Cities with the Strictest Fire Pit Rules·Compare Stearns County to another location·View the Minnesota fire regulations overview
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