Red Flag Warning expanded, extended to Thursday evening in southwest Minn.
UPDATE 10/13 – State officials have announced a Red Flag Warning initially issued Wednesday morning for southwest Minnesota has now been extended into Thursday evening.
Thursday morning, the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources announced a total of 13 counties are listed under the warning, which is now in effect from 12-7 p.m. Thursday. Wednesday, the warning was issued for eight counties.
The Red Flag Warning now covers the following counties:
- Big Stone
- Cottonwood
- Jackson
- Lac Qui Parle
- Lincoln
- Lyon
- Murray
- Nobles
- Pipestone
- Redwood
- Rock
- Traverse
- Yellow Medicine
Outdoor burning should be avoided in those areas due to a combination of weather conditions. Any fires which do develop may spread quickly, and if you do burn, make sure to check that the fire is completely extinguished.
The DNR says strong winds and low humidity are expected in the area, which are ideal wildfire conditions.
Late Wednesday afternoon, the DNR had said a Fire Weather Watch was issued for Brown, Lac Qui Parle, Martin, Redwood, Watonwan and yellow Medicine counties, meaning critical fire weather conditions were forecasted to happen.
CLICK HERE for the latest forecast and CLICK HERE for current conditions in your area.
INITIAL REPORT 10/12 – The National Weather Service warns people in southwest Minnesota to avoid outdoor burning Wednesday, as a combination of weather conditions may contribute to “extreme fire behavior.”
The NWS has issued a Red Flag Warning, which means any fires that develop will likely spread rapidly, for the following counties: Lincoln, Lyon, Murray, Cottonwood, Nobles, Jackson, Pipestone and Rock.
The warning will be in effect from 12-7 p.m. Wednesday.
The Minnesota Department of Natural Resources says people should also check any recent burning to make sure the fire is completely out.
The DNR says strong winds, warm temperatures and minimal humidity levels are ideal conditions for wildfires.
“Any spark could become a wildfire under Red Flag conditions,” said Allissa Reynolds, DNR wildfire prevention supervisor.
CLICK HERE for the latest forecast and CLICK HERE for current conditions in your area.