CHANHASSEN, Minn. — A significant part of southwestern and west central Minnesota will be under a Red Flag Warning Wednesday afternoon into evening due to conditions creating extreme danger for wildfires.
The National Weather Service (NWS) made the Red Flag declaration for 27 counties beginning at 1 p.m. and ending at 7 p.m. Wednesday, Oct. 16. A Red Flag Warning means fires can spread quickly and easily progress out of control under the predicted weather conditions, including gusty winds and low relative humidity.
KARE 11's John Zeigler said southwest winds will continue to strengthen in western Minnesota as high-pressure slides east out of the region. Winds will gust up to 30 mph at times. Moisture levels are expected to be very low, with dew points in the teens and relative humidity as low as 20%.
Here are the counties that are impacted by the warning.
Big Stone, Brown, Chippewa, Clay, Cottonwood, Douglas, Grant, Jackson, Kandiyohi, Lac Qui Parle, Lincoln, Lyon, Martin, Murray, Nobles, Otter Tail, Pipestone, Pope, Redwood, Renville, Rock, Stevens, Swift, Traverse, Watonwan, Wilkin and Yellow Medicine.
The Minnesota Department of Natural Resources (DNR) warns residents in the designated counties to not conduct burns, and to check any recent burning to ensure the fire is completely out. The DNR will not issue or activate open burning permits for large vegetative debris burning during the Red Flag Warning, and campfires are 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.
Red Flag Warnings are evolving situations that can change quickly. For updates, check out the NWS website, or visit the Minnesota DNR site for daily updates on fire risk and burning restrictions across the state.