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More than 40 Minnesota counties under Red Flag Warning, burning restrictions Sunday

The National Weather Service issued the warnings for counties in central and southern Minnesota from noon to 6 p.m. Sunday.

MINNEAPOLIS — Minnesota has finally received some much-needed rainfall over the past few days, but drought conditions persist, prompting the National Weather Service to issue both a Red Flag Warning and burning restrictions for a large portion of the state on Sunday. 

The Minnesota Department of Natural Resources is citing extreme fire conditions as a reason for the warning. It will be in place from noon to 6 p.m. on Sunday, Nov. 6 for the following counties: 

  • Anoka
  • Big Stone
  • Blue Earth
  • Brown
  • Carver
  • Chippewa
  • Cottonwood
  • Dakota
  • Douglas
  • Faribault
  • Freeborn
  • Goodhue
  • Grant
  • Hennepin
  • Jackson
  • Kandiyohi
  • Lac Qui Parle
  • Le Sueur
  • Lincoln
  • Lyon
  • Martin
  • McLeod
  • Meeker
  • Murray
  • Nicollet
  • Nobles
  • Pipestone
  • Pope
  • Ramsey
  • Redwood
  • Renville
  • Rice
  • Rock
  • Scott
  • Sherburne
  • Sibley
  • Stearns
  • Steele
  • Stevens
  • Swift
  • Traverse
  • Waseca
  • Washington
  • Watonwan
  • Wright
  • Yellow Medicine

These counties have weather conditions ideal for wildfire. Strong winds and low humidity levels mean that people in these counties should avoid outdoor fires and check any recent burn piles to ensure they are completely out. 

In addition to the Red Flag Warning, the MN DNR is restricting burning in a larger portion of the state. This means the DBR won't issue permits for the open burning of brush or yard waste in these counties until the restrictions are lifted. People are also asked to be careful with backyard campfires. 

The Sunday restrictions apply to the above-listed counties, and these additional locations: 

  • Aitkin
  • Becker
  • Benton
  • Big Stone
  • Carlton
  • Chisago
  • Crow Wing
  • Dodge
  • Fillmore
  • Isanti
  • Kanabec
  • Mille Lacs
  • Morrison
  • Pine 
  • South St. Louis
  • Todd
  • Winona

“Extreme drought conditions in combination with dry fall vegetation, low humidity, and wind make for dangerous fire conditions,” said Allissa Reynolds, DNR wildfire prevention supervisor. “Restricting open burning prevents a burn pile from escaping and becoming a wildfire.”

You can find more information about the current fire risk where you are, as well as open burning restrictions, at the Minnesota DNR's website

RELATED: Rain deficit reaches nearly 1 foot as extreme drought expands

RELATED: DNR says early snowfall could help with worsening drought conditions

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