Red Flag Warnings Now Issued In 27 Minnesota Counties

Daylight Saving weekend brought very warm temperatures throughout Minnesota, which have continued into Monday.

While that is fantastic news for those looking to get outside for a run, walk, or hike, the warmer weather and gusting winds have helped to create potentially dangerous conditions, forcing the National Weather Service to take action.

Monday morning, a series of Red Flag warnings were issued in Minnesota, impacting 27 counties. According to the Minnesota DNR, a Red Flag Warning means fires can spread quickly and grow out of control under the predicted weather conditions, including strong winds and low relative humidity.

During the Red Flag Warning, the DNR will not issue or activate open burning permits for large vegetative debris burning, and campfires are discouraged.

Red Flag Warnings Issued In Minnesota

On Monday, March, 10, the National Weather Service issued the following Red Flag Warnings which impact counties in northwest, west central, and southwestern Minnesota.

Residents should not burn in those counties where a Red Flag Warning is in effect and should check any recent burning they might have done to ensure the fire is completely out.

Red Flag Warning #1

Effective 11:00 a.m. to 7 p.m. affected counties include:

• Becker
• Clay
• Clearwater
• Grant
• Hubbard
• Mahnomen
• Norman
• Otter Tail
• Wadena
• Wilkin

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Red Flag Warning #2

Effective 2:00 p.m. to 9 p.m. affected counties include:

• Big Stone
• Traverse

Red Flag Warning #3

Effective 2:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. affected counties include:

• Chippewa
• Douglas
• Kandiyohi
• Lac Qui Parle
• Meeker
• Pope
• Redwood
• Renville
• Stearns
• Stevens
• Swift
• Todd
• Yellow Medicine

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Red Flag Warning #4

Effective 2:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. affected counties include:

• Lincoln
• Lyon.

“Any spark could become a wildfire under Red Flag conditions,” said Karen Harrison, DNR wildfire prevention specialist.

The DNR reminds residents throughout Minnesota that Red Flag Warnings are evolving situations and updates are available through weather.gov.

Daily updates on current fire risk and open burning restrictions can be found online through the Minnesota DNR. You can also receive text updates on current wildfire risk and open burning restrictions in Minnesota by texting “FIRE” to 66468.