Most of Minnesota is under a Red Flag Warning until 8 p.m. Monday, April 20, due to extreme fire risk conditions.
The National Weather Service issued the warning for 66 counties, including all of Northern Minnesota.
A Red Flag Warning means fires can spread quickly and grow out of control under the predicted weather conditions, including strong winds with high gusts, and low relative humidity.
The weather service office in Duluth reported southwest winds are expected at 10-20 mph with gusts up to 30 mph. Humidity will be as low as 20%. Warm temperatures can contribute to extreme fire behavior.
“Embers can be carried for over a mile in high winds like this. People should use extreme caution until conditions improve,” said Karen Harrison, Minnesota Department of Natural Resources wildfire prevention specialist.
The DNR stated that 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 all-terrain vehicles on gravel or pavement and using chain saws or other equipment outside of the Red Flag Warning hours.
Affected counties include Aitkin, Becker, Beltrami, Benton, Big Stone, Blue Earth, Brown, Carlton, Cass, Chippewa, Clay, Clearwater, Cook, Cottonwood, Crow Wing, Douglas, Faribault, Grant, Hubbard, Isanti, Itasca, Jackson, Kanabec, Kandiyohi, Kittson, Koochiching, Lac Qui Parle, Lake, Lake Of The Woods, Lincoln, Lyon, Mahnomen, Marshall, Martin, McLeod, Meeker, Mille Lacs, Morrison, Murray, Nicollet, Nobles, Norman, Otter Tail, Pennington, Pine, Pipestone, Polk, Pope, Red Lake, Redwood, Renville, Rock, Roseau, Sherburne, Sibley, St. Louis, Stearns, Stevens, Swift, Todd, Traverse, Wadena, Watonwan, Wilkin, Wright and Yellow Medicine.
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