The National Weather Service has issued a Red Flag Warning for counties in Southwest and West Central Minnesota for Wednesday April 22, starting a noon until 8 p.m., due to extreme fire risk conditions resulting from relative humidity dropping as low as 20% and south winds gusting up to 35-40 mph.
Affected 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, Stevens, Swift, Watonwan, and Yellow Medicine.
A Red Flag Warning means fires can spread quickly and grow out of control under the predicted conditions, including strong 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 coals are completely out cold.
The DNR will not issue or activate open burning permits during the Red Flag Warning and campfires are discouraged. People should use caution when doing activities that can cause sparks or heat near vegetation by securing trailer chains, parking ATVs on gravel or pavement, and using chainsaws or other equipment outside of the Red Flag warning hours.
Additionally, a Fire Weather Watch has been issued for 27 counties in parts of southern, central, western, and northern Minnesota where strong winds and low relative 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. Visit the National Weather Service (weather.gov) for updates.
For more information and daily updates visit the statewide fire danger and burning restrictions page of the DNR website (mndnr.gov/burnrestrictions).