Extreme fire danger triggers warning alert in dozens of Minnesota counties Monday

MINNEAPOLIS – Dozens of counties in Minnesota will be under a warning for most of the day Monday.

Due to the extreme fire danger, the National Weather Service issued a warning for 39 counties in central, northeast, northwest and southwest Minnesota.

There are four main areas of warning on Monday:

• 7 a.m. to 9 p.m.: Becker, Beltrami, Cass, Clay, Clearwater, Grant, Hubbard, Mahnomen, Norman, Otter Tail, Polk, Wadea and Wilkin counties.
• 10 a.m. to 9 p.m.: Aitkin, Cass, Crow Wing and Itasca counties.
• 11 a.m. to 8 p.m.: Big Stone, Chippewa, Douglas, Lac Qui Parle, Kandiyohi, Meeker, Morrison, Pope, Traverse, Todd, Stearns, Stevens, Swift, Renville, Redwood and Yellow Medicine counties.
• 1:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m.: Lincoln, Lyon, Murray, Nobles, Pipestone and Rock counties.

The NWS states that a red flag warning is issued when fires can easily get out of control and spread quickly, especially when there are gusty winds and low humidity.

“When the fire danger is this high, it's important to be careful because anything could start a wildfire,” said Karen Harrison, DNR wildfire prevention specialist.

Because alerts of this nature are evolving situations, the NWS encourages Minnesotans to visit its website for updates.

The predicted high temperature is 85 degrees. There is a rush of warm air in front of you A dry cold front will move through on Monday night.