Additional Counties Added to Red Flag Warning

The National Weather Service has issued a Red Flag Warning for 27 counties in southern and western Minnesota effective Saturday, Oct. 5, 2024 due to extreme fire danger.

Newly added counties under a Red Flag Warning until 9:00 p.m. are: East Polk, Mahnomen, Norman, Pennington, Red Lake, West Becker, and West Polk.

Other counties include:

• Through 8:00 p.m.: Big Stone, Chippewa, Cottonwood, Jackson, Lac Qui Parle, Lincoln, Lyon, Murray, Nobles, Pipestone, Redwood, Rock, Stevens, Swift, Traverse, and Yellow Medicine.
• Through 9:00 p.m.: Clay, Grant, West Otter Tail and Wilkin.

A Red Flag Warning means fires can spread quickly and easily progress out of control under the forecasted weather conditions, including gusty winds and low 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.

“Embers can be carried for over a mile in high winds like this. People should use extreme caution until conditions improve,” said Mike Warnke, wildfire administration supervisor. Red Flag Warnings are evolving situations and more counties could be added, he said. People should visit the National Weather Service for updates.

The DNR will not issue or activate open burning permits during the Red Flag Warning, and campfires are discouraged.

For more information and daily updates visit the statewide fire danger and burning restrictions page of the DNR website. To receive email updates on current wildfire risk and open burning restrictions in Minnesota text “FIRE” to 66468.

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