Red flag warning for dangerous fire conditions issued for much of Minnesota
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Updated: April 29, 9:25 a.m. | Posted: April 28, 6:18 p.m.
Dangerous fire weather conditions are expected across much of Minnesota on Sunday, as gusty winds are accompanied by dropping humidity.
The National Weather Service has issued a red flag warning for much of eastern Minnesota and western Wisconsin for Sunday afternoon and evening. The warning includes the Twin Cities, Rochester, St. Cloud and Duluth.
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A fire weather watch is in effect for western Minnesota.
The fire danger is heightened because vegetation has had little opportunity to green up so far this spring.
"Southerly winds will increase during the morning into early afternoon ... with gusts as high as 35 mph possible," the Weather Service office in Duluth reported. The wind, combined with humidities around 15 to 20 percent, means "any fires which develop will spread quickly among dry vegetation."
The Minnesota Department of Natural Resources reports that the fire danger rating is "very high" or "extreme" across the state, with burning restrictions in place. Burning permits are not being issued in much of the state, the DNR reported.