UPDATE: 27 Minnesota Counties Now Face Major Fire Risk Wednesday

Weather conditions on Sunday forced the National Weather Service to issue a Red Flag Warning for 13 southern counties due to extreme fire risks. That fire risk led to a grass fire Sunday that quickly grew to about 1,000 acres near Waseca.

On Wednesday, the National Weather Service a new round of Red Flag Warnings, which means that fires can spread quickly and easily progress out of control under the predicted weather conditions, including low relative humidity and gusty winds.

Therefore, residents within the impacted counties should not burn brush and yard debris. They should also be sure to check recent campfires and any recent burning for lingering heat to ensure they’re out cold. Furthermore, use extra caution with outdoor activities that could produce heat or a spark.

The Minnesota Department of Natural Resources will not issue or 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.

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The Red Flag Warnings are effective Wednesday, March 6, from 12:00 p.m. through 6:00 p.m. in the following counties:

Big Stone
Chippewa
Lac que Parle
Lincoln
Lyon
Murray
Pipestone
Rock
Pope
Stevens
Swift
Traverse
Yellow Medicine

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UPDATE

The National Weather Service has extended Wednesday's Red Flag Warning, adding 14 additional counties in southwest and south-central Minnesota.

The new Red Flag Warnings are effective Wednesday, March 6, from 12:00 p.m. through 6:00 p.m. in the following counties:

Blue Earth
Brown
Cottonwood
Jackson
Kandiyohi
Le Sueur
Watonwan
Martin
McLeod
Nicollet
Nobles
Redwood
Renville
Sibley.

That means there are now Red Flag Warnings for a total of 27 counties on Wednesday. Because Red Flag Warnings are evolving situations, Minnesota residents should always check for updates and to see if restrictions have been put in place in their county.

For information and daily updates on current fire risks and open burning restrictions, restrictions, visit the statewide fire danger and burning restrictions page of the DNR website.

Minnesota DNR Statewide Danger And Burning Restrictions

To receive email updates on current wildfire risk and open burning restrictions in Minnesota text “FIRE” to 66468

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