Red Flag Warnings Now Issued In 39 Minnesota Counties

The end of September has brought nice warm weather throughout Minnesota. However, as nice as it's been to get out and enjoy, it has created dangerous situations and on Monday, the National Weather Service was forced to take action.

The NWS issued a series of Red Flag warnings that impacted 39 counties in central, northeast, northwest, and southwest Minnesota. 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.

Residents in counties where a Red Flag Warning is present should not burn anything outside and they should also be sure to check any recent burning to ensure the fire is completely out.

Furthermore, the Minnesota 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 Warning #1

A first Red Flag warning went into effect at 7:00 a.m. Monday and it will remain in effect through 9:00 p.m. in the following 13 Minnesota counties:

Becker
Beltrami
Cass
Clay
Clearwater
Grant
Hubbard
Mahnomen
Norman
Otter Tail
Polk
Wadena
Wilkin

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Red Flag Warning #2

A second Red Flag Warning went into effect at 10:00 a.m. Monday and continues until 9:00 p.m. The 4 affected counties include:

Aitkin
Cass
Crow Wing
Itasca

Red Flag Warning #3

A third Red Flag Warning went into effect at 11:00 a.m. Monday and continues until 8:00 p.m. The 16 affected counties include:

Big Stone
Chippewa
Douglas
Lac Qui Parle
Kandiyohi
Meeker
Morrison
Pope
Traverse
Todd
Stearns
Steven
Swift
Renville
Redwood
Yellow Medicine

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Red Flag Warning #4

The final Red Flag Warning issued Monday goes into effect at 1:00 p.m. and continues until 8:00 p.m. The 6 affected counties include:

Lincoln
Lyon
Murray
Nobles
Pipestone
Rock

"When fire risk is this high it’s important to be careful with anything that could spark a wildfire,” said Karen Harrison, DNR wildfire prevention specialist.

Minnesota DNR Fire Danger & Burning Restrictions

Red Flag Warnings are evolving situations and the National Weather Service will provide updates as needed. Also, the Minnesota DNR Fire Danger & Burning Restrictions page is a great resource for daily updates on current fire risk and open burning restrictions.