Red flag warning issued for 18 Minnesota counties, burning discouraged across others
The Minnesota Department of Natural Resources (DNR) issued a red flag warning Wednesday for multiple counties in southwest and central Minnesota.
Beginning at 11 a.m., a red flag warning took effect for 18 different counties until 7 p.m. The warning came after almost 30 counties in the state were placed under a fire weather watch, which discouraged residents from burning anything due to the low humidity, warm temperatures and windy conditions.
Similarly, a red flag warning warns residents that conditions are not favorable for a fire and that gusty winds and low humidity make it perfect for wildfires to spread quickly. The DNR said residents shouldn’t start any burns in a county when a red flag warning is in effect, and recent burns should be thoroughly inspected to make sure it is out.
According to the alert from the National Weather Service, winds will gust as high as 35 mph on Wednesday. 5 EYEWITNESS NEWS Chief Meteorologist Ken Barlow says afternoon temperatures will be around 80 degrees. Make sure to check with your county for burning restrictions and fire danger before burning anything.
Counties in a red flag warning include:
- Big Stone
- Blue Earth
- Brown
- Cottonwood
- Faribault
- Jackson
- Lac Qui Parle
- Lincoln
- Lyon
- Martin
- Murray
- Nobles
- Pipestone
- Redwood
- Rock
- Traverse
- Watonwan
- Yellow Medicine
Residents in the above counties won’t be able to get an open burning permit from the DNR.
The fire weather watch also lasts through 7 p.m. for the following counties:
- Chippewa
- Kandiyohi
- McLeod
- Meeker
- Nicollet
- Pope
- Renville
- Sibley
- Stearns
- Stevens
- Swift
Recent up-to-date information on the red flag warnings can be found here. To see if your area has a current ban on burning or other fires, CLICK HERE.
Anyone who does have a campfire is asked to keep it less than three feet in diameter, and to have a bucket of water and shovel nearby.
In addition, make sure to not park any ATVs, tractors and lawnmowers over long grass since a hot exhaust system could cause the grass to start on fire.
The fire weather watch comes as campfires in the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness are banned until further notice in part due to drought conditions worsen in the state.
The ban also includes charcoal grills and wood-burning stoves. However, gas and propane cook stoves are still allowed.
September marked the driest one on record in Minnesota, and information has been reported since 1871. It also tied for the third driest month overall in the Twin Cities since that same year.
A weekly report showing current drought conditions across the state will be released early Thursday morning. CLICK HERE to find the latest forecast from Minnesota’s Weather Authority, which currently shows no rain for the next seven days.