The Lyon County Sheriff's Office issues local open burn permits that are valid for one calendar year. All burn permits no matter when during the year they are issued expire on December 31st, and will need to be renewed the following year. Please contact the Lyon County Sheriff's Office to obtain an open burn permit. There is no cost associated with a burn permit.  

General Guidelines for All Permit Types:

 Have a water source, AND means of dispensing it, available before starting the burn.

• Your issued permit must be in your possession when you are burning. 
• Call the non-emergency sheriff’s office dispatcher (507-537-7666) prior to starting the burn.
• You are responsible for any damage done by a fire that escapes your control or one that is a result of your burn. This includes smoke caused problems.
• It is a good idea to contact neighbors prior to burning to let them know what you are doing.
• Activation is required each day burning occurs, by calling (507) 537-7666.
• A permit is NOT valid within corporate city limits without city approval.
• A PERMIT IS NOT VALID FOR DITCHES ALONG HIGHWAYS.

MN State Statute referencing prohibited burn items that can't be burned:

PROHIBITED MATERIALS INCLUDE (M.S. 88.171) (but not limited to): oils, rubber, plastics, tires and chemically treated materials such as railroad ties, treated lumber, composite shingles, tar paper, insulation, composition board, sheet rock, wiring, paint, hazardous and industrial waste.

Running Fire Recommendations:

• Relative humidity should be greater than 40%.
• Wind speed should be less than 15 MPH, in a direction that is blowing away from any structures or roads.
• Smoke over roads can cause a safety hazard and may result in revocation of your permit.
• Smoke that blows into buildings can cause health/nuisance issues and may result in revocation of your permit.
• A minimum 15 foot wide mowed and raked firebreak, free of dead vegetative material should be constructed around the entire perimeter of the fire. A road or plowed field will act as a firebreak. Note that corn stubble will burn if conditions are right. A mowed firebreak may not be possible in all areas.
• It is recommended you have a minimum of 3-4 people for a one to three acre burn, and 4-6 people for burns greater than three acres, or for those fires in difficult terrain.
• Fires should be lit such that they back into the wind when burning. Fires burning with the wind are far more difficult to control.

Piled Material Recommendations:

• Only light the number of piles that can be adequately supervised at any one time.
• Piles should be sufficiently spaced and away from surrounding vegetation so that the potential for radiant heat to ignite and spread the fire is eliminated. You should be able to comfortably stand between the burning pile and any structure.
• Under no circumstances should any peat be allowed to ignite.
• Piles with large amounts of dirt or peat in them should be worked up and repositioned to allow for the dirt to be removed.
• Large equipment, like a dozer or excavator, may be required to be on site and operable during burning periods.
• By keeping piles small in size, clean of soil, and well spaced, you will be able to more efficiently control the amount of material that is burning at any one time. 

General Safety Recommendations – Protective Clothing:

• Natural fiber or fire-resistant clothing, especially shirts and pants.
• Leather footwear that rises high enough to cover ankles.
• Leather gloves.
• Safety goggles and bandanna to protect eyes and face from heat and smoke.
• Hat to protect head from burning cinders.