The National Weather Service has issued a Red Flag Warning for 37 counties in parts of northwest, west central, and southwest Minnesota today, May 14, due to extreme fire risk conditions.
Affected counties include Becker, Big Stone, Brown, Chippewa, Clay, Clearwater, Cottonwood, Douglas, Grant, Jackson, Kandiyohi, Kittson, Lac Qui Parle, Lincoln, Lyon, Mahnomen, Marshall, Martin, Murray, Nobles, Norman, Otter Tail, Pennington, Pipestone, Polk, Pope, Red Lake, Redwood, Renville, Rock, Roseau, Stevens, Swift, Traverse, Watonwan, Wilkin, and Yellow Medicine.
A Red Flag Warning means fires can spread quickly and grow out of control under the predicted weather conditions, including low relative humidity and high winds. Residents should not burn in counties where a Red Flag Warning is in effect and should also check any recent burning they did to ensure the fire is completely out. The DNR will not issue or activate open burning permits for large vegetative debris burning and discourages campfires during the Red Flag Warning. People should use caution when doing activities that can cause sparks or heat near vegetation by securing trailer chains, parking ATVs on gravel or pavement, and using chainsaws or other equipment outside of the Red Flag warning hours.
“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.
Additionally, a Fire Weather Watch has been issued for most of central and northern Minnesota for Friday, May 15, where strong winds and low relative humidity are predicted to produce near-critical fire weather conditions. Fire Weather Watches are evolving situations and could quickly progress to Red Flag conditions. Visit the National Weather Service for updates.
For more information and daily updates on current fire risk and open burning restrictions, visit the statewide fire danger and burning restrictions page of the DNR website. To receive text updates on current fire risk and open burning restrictions in Minnesota text “FIRE” to 66468.