The rain will come, but as of last week it hadn’t come yet. Dry conditions across southern Minnesota led county officials throughout the region to issue a ban on burning. After some light showers this past weekend, the ban was lifted in Mower County and in other counties nearby as well.

However, with the lifting of the ban came a warning. Officials are monitoring conditions before the next rainfall hits to make sure they are not too dangerous for burning.

While the ban has been lifted, residents should be extra cautious to make sure the fires don’t break out of control as several have already done this month in southern Minnesota.

Open burning can be a useful resource when done correctly, but when it’s done carelessly, it can become a dangerous situation for local fire officials, the homeowner and residents nearby.