Red Flag Warning issued for extreme fire risk

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minnesota department of natural resources

Red Flag Warning issued for extreme fire risk

The National Weather Service has issued a Red Flag Warning for 18 counties in southwest and west central Minnesota effective Saturday, Oct. 5, 2024 due to extreme fire danger.

Effective 11:00 a.m. through 8:00 p.m., affected counties include Lincoln, Lyon, Murray, Nobles, Pipestone and Rock.

Effective 1:00 p.m. through 8:00 p.m., affected counties include Big Stone, Chippewa, Lac Qui Parle, Redwood, Stevens, Swift, Traverse, and Yellow Medicine.

Effective 1:00 p.m. through 9:00 p.m., affected counties include Clay, Grant, West Otter Tail and Wilkin.

A Red Flag Warning means fires can spread quickly and easily progress out of control under the predicted weather conditions, including gusty winds and low relative humidity. Do not burn in counties where a Red Flag Warning is in effect and check any recent burning to ensure the fire is completely out. The DNR will not issue or activate open burning permits for large vegetative debris burning during the Red Flag Warning, and campfires are discouraged.

Red Flag Warnings are evolving situations. Visit the National Weather Service, (weather.gov) for updates.

Additionally, a Fire Weather Watch has been issued for Cottonwood and Jackson counties in south central Minnesota where windy conditions and low humidity are predicted to produce near-critical fire weather conditions. Outdoor burning is discouraged. Fire Weather Watches are evolving situations and could quickly progress to Red Flag conditions.

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 email updates on current wildfire risk and open burning restrictions in Minnesota text “FIRE” to 66468.

Map of Minnesota counties with shaded pink areas for Red Flag Warnings.

The National Weather Service map shows Red Flag Warnings in pink.