ST PAUL, Minn. — A jump in the mercury Wednesday is mixing with gusty winds and low relative humidity to trigger a Red Flag Warning in parts of Minnesota.
The National Weather Service (NWS) issued the warning for 18 counties in southwest, west-central and south-central Minnesota beginning at 11 a.m. and ending at 7 p.m. Counties affected include Big Stone, Blue Earth, Brown, Cottonwood, Faribault, Jackson, Lac Qui Parle, Lincoln, Lyon, Martin, Murray, Nobles, Pipestone, Redwood, Rock, Traverse, Watonwan, and Yellow Medicine.
A Red Flag Warning means conditions are right for wildfires to start and rapidly spread under predicted weather conditions. The Minnesota Department of Natural Resources (DNR) tells residents in the impacted areas not to burn and encourages them to check recent burns to make sure those fires are completely out and don't rekindle.
“Embers can be carried for over a mile in high winds like this," explained DNR wildfire prevention specialist Karen Harrison.
"People should use extreme caution until conditions improve."
The DNR will not issue or activate open burning permits for large vegetative debris burns during Red Flag Warnings, and campfires are strongly discouraged.
For more on the Ref Flag Warning and current fire risks, check out the DNR website.