BROWN COUNTY, Minn. — Fire danger remains high in areas of Minnesota due to warm, dry and windy conditions following a nearly-snowless winter.
The National Weather Service (NWS) has issued a Red Flag Warning for 13 counties in the southwestern part of the state due to extreme risk of wildfires. The impacted counties are Brown, Cottonwood, Jackson, Lincoln, Lyon, Martin, Murray, Nobles, Pipestone, Redwood, Rock, Watonwan and Yellow Medicine, and the Red Flag Warning will remain in effect from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. Monday.
A Red Flag Warning means fire can spread quickly and easily get out of control due to predicted weather conditions, which include strong winds and low relative humidity. Residents should not burn in counties where a Red Flag Warning is in effect, and are encouraged to check the sites of recent burning to make sure the fire is completely out.
DNR officials will not activate open burning permits for large vegetative debris burning during a Red Flag Warning, and campfires are strongly discouraged.
“Embers can be carried for over a mile in high winds like this. People should use extreme caution until conditions improve,” said Karen Harrison, DNR wildfire prevention specialist.
The DNR website indicates fire danger is rated either high or very high across most of Minnesota, with restrictions or outright bans on burning until conditions improve.
The NWS says Red Flag Warnings change quickly and are regularly updated. Check out their website for the latest.
Fire crews across Minnesota and northwestern Wisconsin were busy this weekend putting down a number of wildfires, including one in Wabasha County that closed roads and prompted evacuations.
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