Red flag warning issued for 66 Minnesota counties due to wildfire risk

MN weather: Warm and breezy Monday

After a chilly start, expect a bright and warmer day on Monday with highs in the 60s. The warming trend continues through the week before a cool down arrives for the weekend. FOX 9 meteorologist Cody Matz has the forecast. 

(FOX 9) - A red flag warning is in effect for 66 counties across Minnesota on Monday due to extreme fire risk conditions.

Red flag warning on Monday

Local perspective:

The National Weather Service issued a red flag warning for much of Minnesota until 8 p.m. on Monday. The combination of strong winds, high gusts and low humidity can cause fires to ignite easily and spread quickly, making them difficult to control. 

The warning covers a large portion of the state, including, Aitkin, Becker, Beltrami, Benton, Big Stone, Blue Earth, Brown, Carlton, Cass, Chippewa, Clay, Clearwater, Cook, Cottonwood, Crow Wing, Douglas, Faribault, Grant, Hubbard, Isanti, Itasca, Jackson, Kanabec, Kandiyohi, Kittson, Koochiching, Lac Qui Parle, Lake, Lake Of The Woods, Lincoln, Lyon, Mahnomen, Marshall, Martin, McLeod, Meeker, Mille Lacs, Morrison, Murray, Nicollet, Nobles, Norman, Otter Tail, Pennington, Pine, Pipestone, Polk, Pope, Red Lake, Redwood, Renville, Rock, Roseau, Sherburne, Sibley, St. Louis, Stearns, Stevens, Swift, Todd, Traverse, Wadena, Watonwan, Wilkin, Wright, and Yellow Medicine counties.

(FOX 9)

What they're saying:

Officials are urging residents not to burn in counties where the warning is in effect and to check any recent burning to ensure fires are completely out. The DNR will not issue or activate open burning permits for large vegetative debris burning and said 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.

For the latest fire danger and burning restrictions, visit the Minnesota DNR website. 

Counties added to spring burning restrictions 

Dig deeper:

The DNR expanded spring burning restrictions as warm, dry weather spreads across the state. Escaped fire from burning vegetative debris is the number one cause of wildfires in Minnesota, and these restrictions help reduce that risk, according to the DNR. 

Additional counties under burning restrictions as of 8 a.m. Monday include Becker, Beltrami North, Carlton, Clearwater, Itasca, Kittson, Koochiching, Lake of the Woods, Mahnomen, Marshall, Pennington, Polk, Red Lake, Roseau, and St. Louis. 

Restrictions remain in place for the following counties: Aitkin, Anoka, Beltrami South, Benton, Cass, Chisago, Clay, Crow Wing, Douglas, Grant, Hennepin, Hubbard, Isanti, Kanabec, Mille Lacs, Morrison, Norman, Otter Tail, Pine, Pope, Ramsey, Sherburne, Stearns, Stevens, Todd, Traverse, Wadena, Washington, Wilkin, and Wright.

The DNR will not issue permits for the open burning of brush or yard waste in these counties until restrictions are lifted. Burning restrictions will be adjusted as conditions change, according to the DNR.