MINNESOTA - Dry ground and heavy winds have created the perfect conditions for grass fires this weekend.
The National Weather Service issued a Red Flag Warning for 1-7 p.m. Sunday, for eastern Minnesota and western Wisconsin.
Outdoor fires are highly discouraged during the warning. In fact, they're illegal in many communities.
"It is not allowed in the city of Bloomington during a Red Flag Warning," Assistant Fire Chief Jay Forster says.
Grass fires typically aren't a major concern in urban communities, because the fire has very little room to build, but Forster says with wind like this, anything can happen.
"It really doesn't take much. Even a recreational fire this weekend can spread to a house very quickly," Forster explains.
The DNR fire response team in Cambridge has responded to 14 fires in the north metro since Wednesday. The largest fire they've seen was an 80+ acre grass fire in Cottage Grove.
In Bloomington, Forster says they've responded to several smaller fires so far, but he wouldn't be surprised to see a larger fire by the end of the weekend.
"Even a hot motor or a lawn mower can ignite tall grass when it's this dry," Forster says.
Firefighters are encouraging people to check out the fire restrictions in their community before burning leaves and debris, or before using their fire pits this weekend.
Many communities are currently banning all outdoor fires until the Red Flag Warning is lifted.