National Weather Service Issues Elevated Fire Weather Warning for Central Minnesota Wednesday

(KNSI) — The National Weather Service has issued an elevated fire weather warning for central Minnesota today.

The warning is in effect from 1:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m.

Breezy south/southwesterly winds around ten to 20 miles an hour with occasional gusts near 25 are expected. Relative humidity will drop below 30% across the area which has seen little rainfall the last few months. The combination of breezy winds, dry air, and dry fuels as trees shed their leaves will promote the potential for rapid fire spread.

People are urged to be careful and avoid any activities that could start a fire.

The DNR says the fire danger across much of the state is very high, and no open burning is allowed, but campfires are, except in the northern portions of Cook, Koochiching, Lake and St. Louis Counties that make up the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness.

The U.S. Forest Service Superior National Forest division posted a stern warning on its Facebook page Wednesday morning, saying land management agencies are finding abandoned campfires with warm coals. Before walking away from any fire, they say to drown it, stir it and repeat until it’s cold to the touch.

See the maps here.

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