High winds and bone-dry air have flipped big stretches of central and northwest Minnesota into Red Flag Warnings Friday afternoon, sharply raising the odds that a stray spark could turn into a fast-moving grass or brush fire. Local forecasters and state officials are urging residents to skip open burning and delay any spark-producing work while the alerts are in place.
Where the warnings are in effect
FOX 9 lists a Red Flag Warning from 1:00 p.m. CDT to 6:00 p.m. CDT that covers roughly two dozen counties, including Becker, Benton, Cass, Crow Wing, Douglas, Kandiyohi, Lac Qui Parle, Mille Lacs, Morrison, Otter Tail, Pope, Sherburne, Stearns, Stevens, Swift, Todd, Wadena and Wilkin, and notes a separate warning for Big Stone and Traverse counties that runs from 1:00 p.m. CDT to 8:00 p.m. CDT. For the latest county-by-county details, the station’s afternoon forecast update is available online.
What officials are saying
The Minnesota Department of Natural Resources says low relative humidity combined with gusty winds has created a critical fire-weather environment and advises that open-burning permits will not be issued while warnings are in effect. The Minnesota DNR is discouraging campfires and asks people to check any recent burns to make sure they are fully out. “These fine fuels can easily ignite and start a wildfire that spreads quickly,” said Karen Harrison, DNR wildfire prevention specialist, in a statement released by the Minnesota DNR.
How to stay safe
The National Weather Service recommends avoiding recreational burns, delaying spark-producing work like chainsawing or welding, and reporting any smoke or fire to 911, according to the National Weather Service. Routine precautions include keeping lawn-mower spark arrestors in good repair, parking vehicles on gravel or pavement away from dry grass, and securing trailer chains so hot parts cannot ignite roadside fuels. If you see smoke or flame, move people and pets to safety and call 911 immediately.
DNR restrictions and alerts
The DNR says it will not issue open-burning permits for large vegetative debris during the warning and is discouraging campfires until conditions subside; county-level restrictions and updates are posted on the agency’s site. To receive official updates, the agency notes you can text “FIRE” to 66468 or check the statewide burning-restrictions page and NWS watches and warnings, per Minnesota DNR.
What to expect next
Forecasters tie the Red Flag conditions to a warm, dry air mass and gusty southerly winds that should ease once a front moves through, with cooler temperatures and higher humidity likely over the weekend. FOX 9 meteorologist Keith Marler has the afternoon forecast update and is advising residents to watch conditions county by county, according to FOX 9. Keep checking NWS and DNR feeds before planning yard work, burns, or other activities that could produce sparks while the warnings are active.
