The National Weather Service has issued a Red Flag Warning for 27 additional counties across Minnesota, effective April 22 until 8 p.m., citing extreme fire danger fueled by strong winds and low relative humidity.
The newly included counties are Aitkin, Becker, Beltrami, Benton, Carver, Cass, Crow Wing, Douglas, Freeborn, Grant, Hubbard, Itasca, Le Sueur, Mille Lacs, Morrison, Otter Tail, Rice, Scott, Sherburne, Stearns, Steele, Todd, Traverse, Wadena, Waseca, Wilkin and Wright.
The warning remains in effect for Big Stone, Blue Earth, Brown, Chippewa, Cottonwood, Faribault, Jackson, Kandiyohi, Lac qui Parle, Lincoln, Lyon, Martin, McLeod, Meeker, Murray, Nicollet, Nobles, Pipestone, Pope, Redwood, Renville, Rock, Sibley, Stevens, Swift, Watonwan and Yellow Medicine.
A Red Flag Warning indicates that critical fire weather conditions are either occurring or imminent. Under these conditions, fires can ignite easily, spread quickly and become difficult to control.
State officials are urging residents in affected counties to avoid any outdoor burning. The Minnesota Department of Natural Resources will not issue or activate open burning permits for large vegetative debris during the warning period and is discouraging campfires.
Residents are also advised to take precautions during routine outdoor activities that could generate sparks or heat. That includes securing trailer chains, avoiding parking vehicles on dry grass and limiting the use of equipment such as chainsaws during peak risk hours.
“When fire risk is this high, it’s important to be careful with anything that could spark a wildfire,” Karen Harrison, a DNR wildfire prevention specialist, said.
Red Flag Warnings are evolving situations. Visit the National Weather Service (weather.gov) for updates.
For more information and daily updates on current fire risk and open burning restrictions, visit the statewide fire danger and burning restrictions page of the DNR website (mndnr.gov/burnrestrictions). To receive text updates on current fire risk and open burning restrictions in Minnesota text “FIRE” to 66468.
