Red flag warning issued for most of Minnesota as fire danger rises
A red flag warning will go into effect for 72 counties in Minnesota on Saturday, according to the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources.
The warning is issued when fires can spread quickly and "grow out of control under the predicted weather conditions," the state agency said. Strong winds, warm temperatures, dry air and dry brush have prompted it.
The National Weather Service said the warning will be in effect from 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. for large portions of south central, southwest and west central Minnesota.
Impacted counties include Aitkin, Anoka, Becker, Benton, Big Stone, Blue Earth, Brown, Carlton, Carver, Cass, Chippewa, Chisago, Cottonwood, Crow Wing, Dakota, Dodge, Douglas, Faribault, Fillmore, Freeborn, Goodhue, Grant, Hennepin, Houston, Hubbard, Isanti, Itasca, Jackson, Kanabec, Kandiyohi, Lac Qui Parle, Le Sueur, Lincoln, Lyon, Martin, McLeod, Meeker, Mille Lacs, Morrison, Mower, Murray, Nicollet, Nobles, Olmsted, Otter Tail, Pine, Pipestone, Pope, Ramsey, Redwood, Renville, Rice, Rock, Scott, Sherburne, Sibley, St. Louis, Stearns, Steele, Stevens, Swift, Todd, Traverse, Wabasha, Wadena, Waseca, Washington, Watonwan, Wilkin, Winona, Wright and Yellow Medicine.
A similar alert is in effect for parts of northeast Minnesota from 12 p.m. to 7 p.m.
Temperatures in the Twin Cities on Saturday will be in the upper 50s.
Sunday is a Top 10 Weather Day with sunny conditions, lighter winds and warmer temperatures.
The early part of next week will be mild and dry. Some Minnesotans could see scattered rain showers on Tuesday.