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Near critical fire conditions for Cook and Lake Counties, rest of Minnesota under Red Flag Warning for extreme fire risk

Oct 17, 2024 09:00AM ● By Content Editor

Photo: Joanne Francis via Unsplash.com

By Laura Durenberger-Grunow - Boreal Community Media - October 17, 2024


The entire state of Minnesota will experience near-critical to extreme fire danger on Thursday. The National Weather Service issued a Fire Weather Watch for most of Northern Minnesota on Wednesday but has since issued a Special Weather Statement for near-critical fire conditions for Cook and Lake Counties. At some point throughout the day, the rest of the state (or all 85 other counties) will be under a Red Flag Warning or extreme fire danger. 

Low relative humidity levels and dry, breezy conditions can cause any fire to expand rapidly. Today, winds out of the south at 15-20 mph with gusts up to 35 mph are expected. Minimum relative humidity values of 30-35% are also expected. 

Burning restrictions continue for Cook, Lake, Koochiching, and the northern part of St. Louis Counties. This includes the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness and Superior National Forest, where campfires are not permitted. Burn permits will not be issued through the Minnesota Department of Resources until conditions improve. 


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