Strong winds, dry conditions increase fire spread risk in parts of Minnesota

Strong winds and low humidity are contributing to a fire spread risk warning the National Weather Service has issued Friday for parts of the state.

The "red flag warning" applies to Big Stone, Brown, Chippewa, Cottonwood, Jackson, Kandiyohi, Lac Qui Parle, Lincoln, Lyon, Martin, Murray, Nobles, Pipestone, Pope, Redwood, Renville, Rock, Stevens, Swift, Traverse, Watonwan, and Yellow Medicine counties.

The NWS asks residents of those counties to refrain from burning anything and to heed direction from local fire officials.

View a map of current fire danger from the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources here.

The warning expires at 6 p.m.