Image courtesy MN DNR

The National Weather Service has issued a Red Flag Warning for 16 counties in southwest and parts of south-central Minnesota, effective Saturday, April 13, from 12:00 p.m. through 7:00 p.m. due to extreme fire risk conditions.

Affected counties include Blue Earth, Brown, Cottonwood, Faribault, Freeborn, Jackson, Lincoln, Lyon, Martin, Murray, Nobles, Pipestone, Redwood, Rock, Watonwan, and Yellow Medicine.

A Red Flag Warning means fires can spread quickly and easily progress out of control under the predicted weather conditions, including warm temperatures, strong wind gusts, and low relative humidity. Residents should not burn in those counties where a Red Flag Warning is in effect and should check any recent burning they may have done to ensure the fire is completely out. The DNR will not activate open burning permits for large vegetative debris burning during the Red Flag Warning, and campfires are discouraged.