Minnesota DNR Expands Red Flag Warning As Fire Risk Grows In 27 More Counties

MINNESOTA — The National Weather Service has expanded a Red Flag Warning to 27 additional Minnesota counties effective Wednesday, April 22, until 8 p.m., according to the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources.

The warning was issued because of extreme fire risk conditions.

The additional counties are Aitkin, Becker, Beltrami, Benton, Carver, Cass, Crow Wing, Douglas, Freeborn, Grant, Hubbard, Itasca, Le Sueur, Mille Lacs, Morrison, Otter Tail, Rice, Scott, Sherburne, Stearns, Steele, Todd, Traverse, Wadena, Waseca, Wilkin and Wright. A Red Flag Warning also remains in effect Wednesday in Big Stone, Blue Earth, Brown, Chippewa, Cottonwood, Faribault, Jackson, Kandiyohi, Lac Qui Parle, Lincoln, Lyon, Martin, McLeod, Meeker, Murray, Nicollet, Nobles, Pipestone, Pope, Redwood, Renville, Rock, Sibley, Stevens, Swift, Watonwan and Yellow Medicine.

A Red Flag Warning means fires can spread quickly and grow out of control under predicted weather conditions that include strong winds and low relative humidity, according to the release. The DNR said residents should not burn in counties where the warning is in effect and should check any recent burning to make sure the fire is completely out.

The agency said it will not issue or activate open burning permits for large vegetative debris burning during the warning and is discouraging campfires.

The DNR also urged people to use caution during activities that can create sparks or heat near vegetation, including securing trailer chains, parking ATVs on gravel or pavement, and using chainsaws or other equipment outside Red Flag Warning hours.

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

The DNR said Red Flag Warnings are evolving situations and directed residents to the National Weather Service website, weather.gov, for updates.

For daily updates on current fire risk and open burning restrictions, the agency said residents can visit the statewide fire danger and burning restrictions page at mndnr.gov/burnrestrictions.

People can also receive text updates on current fire risk and open burning restrictions in Minnesota by texting “FIRE” to 66468.