CORRECTION: Red Flag Issued in Northwest for Extreme Fire Risk

Red Flag Issued in Northwest for Extreme Fire Risk

The National Weather Service has issued a Red Flag Warning for several counties in northwest Minnesota, effective Sunday, April 14, from 12:00 p.m. through 8:00 p.m. due to extreme fire risk conditions.

Affected counties include Kittson, Marshall, Norman, Pennington, Polk, Red Lake, and Roseau.

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

?Embers can be carried for over a mile in high winds like this. People should use extreme caution until conditions improve,? said Karen Harrison, DNR wildfire prevention specialist.

Screenshot from weather.gov showing Red Flag Warning (pink) and Special Weather Statements (tan) on April 14.

High Fire Danger Predicted for Most of the State Today

The National Weather Service has issued special weather statements for high fire danger for most of Minnesota due to strong wind and low relative humidity. People should use caution as fine fuels such as grasses and leaves can dry out quickly in warm, windy weather and high winds can carry embers over a mile. Wildfires can start easily and quickly spread out of control in these conditions.?

For More Information

Red Flag Warnings are evolving situations. Visit the National Weather Service, (weather.gov) for updates on current hazards including red flags, special weather statements, and advisories.?

For current fire danger and 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.