Fire Weather Watch Issued
The National Weather Service has issued a Fire Weather Watch for 29 counties. Wind and low humidity are predicted to produce near-critical fire weather conditions for parts of western, southwest, and south central Minnesota contributing to increased fire danger beginning Wednesday, Oct. 2 at 11 a.m. through 7 p.m.
Counties include 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, Stearns, Stevens, Swift, Traverse, Watonwan, and Yellow Medicine.
Outdoor burning is discouraged. Please use caution and monitor conditions throughout the day on Wednesday. As the day progresses, weather conditions and associated fire danger may change.
Any heat source could spark a wildfire. Remember:
- Delay any vegetative debris burning until conditions change.
- Before you park your ATV, make sure you are not over tall grass. Vegetation is dry and a hot exhaust system could ignite the grass after you walk away.
- If yard work is in your plans, stay alert. Tractors, lawnmowers, weed whips, and other equipment all produce enough heat to spark dry leaves.
- Campfires are discouraged. If you do have a campfire, always attend your fire. Keep it small – less than 3 feet in diameter – and have a bucket of water and shovel nearby. Before you leave your campfire, please drown, stir, repeat – until it is cold enough to touch. Wind could easily kick up warm coals and spark a wildfire.
Monitor fire danger and burning restrictions at mndnr.gov/burnrestrictions.
For more information on the fire weather watch visit www.weather.gov.
National Weather Service Map shows Fire Weather Watch counties in tan.
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