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*DNR News Release
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*FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE*

May 12, 2026




*For more information: *

Contact the DNR Information Center by email  <[email protected]>or call 888-646-6367.





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Red Flag Warning issued

The National Weather Service has issued a Red Flag Warning for 35 counties in parts of northwest, west central, and southwest Minnesota today, May 12, due to extreme fire risk conditions. 

Affected counties include: Big Stone, Blue Earth, Brown, Chippewa, Clay, Cottonwood, Faribault, Grant, Jackson, Kandiyohi, Lac Qui Parle, Lincoln, Lyon, Marshall, Martin, McLeod, Meeker, Murray, Nicollet, Nobles, Norman, Otter Tail, Pipestone, Polk, Pope, Redwood, Renville, Rock, Sibley, Stevens, Swift, Traverse, Watonwan, Wilkin, and Yellow Medicine.

A Red Flag Warning means fires can spread quickly and grow out of control under the predicted weather conditions, including low relative humidity and high winds. Residents should not burn in counties where a Red Flag Warning is in effect and should also check any recent burning they did to ensure the fire is completely out. The DNR will not issue or activate open burning permits for large vegetative debris burning and discourages campfires during the Red Flag Warning. 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.

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

Red Flag Warnings are evolving situations. Visit the National Weather Service [ [link removed] ] (weather.gov) for updates.  

For more information and daily updates on current fire risk and open burning restrictions, visit the statewide fire danger and burning restrictions page of the DNR website [ [link removed] ] (mndnr.gov/burnrestrictions). To receive text updates on current fire risk and open burning restrictions in Minnesota text “FIRE” to 66468. 

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minnesota department of natural resources [ [link removed] ]

*Minnesota Department of Natural Resources  |  mndnr.gov [ [link removed] ]*

Email us: [email protected]  |  Call 651-296-6157 [ tel:6512966157 ] or 888-646-6367 [ tel:8886466367 ]

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