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A Red Flag Warning is in effect from 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. Monday across 13 northern Minnesota counties because of extreme wildfire danger, according to the National Weather Service.
The warning covers Beltrami, Carlton, Cass, Clearwater, Cook, Hubbard, Itasca, Koochiching, Lake, Lake of the Woods, Marshall, Roseau and St. Louis counties.
High temperatures, strong wind gusts and low relative humidity could cause fires to spread rapidly and become difficult to control. Residents should avoid burning and inspect areas where they have recently burned to ensure fires are completely extinguished.
The Minnesota Department of Natural Resources will not issue or activate permits for burning large amounts of vegetative debris while the warning remains in effect. The agency also discourages campfires.
"Any spark could become a wildfire under Red Flag Warning condition and embers can be carried for over a mile in high winds like this," said Karen Harrison, DNR wildfire prevention specialist. "People should use extreme caution until conditions improve."
Residents should avoid activities that could create sparks or heat near dry vegetation. The DNR recommends securing trailer chains, parking all-terrain vehicles on gravel or pavement and using chainsaws and other equipment outside the warning period.
Additional burning restrictions remain in effect in Cook and Lake counties and northern St. Louis County.
Red Flag Warning conditions can change quickly. Updated forecasts are available at weather.gov. Current fire danger levels and burning restrictions are available at mndnr.gov/burnrestrictions.
Residents can also receive text updates about Minnesota fire risks and burning restrictions by texting “FIRE” to 66468.
