Full Notification

...CRITICAL FIRE WEATHER CONDITIONS THIS AFTERNOON ACROSS WESTERN MINNESOTA, SPREADING EAST THURSDAY... .Very dry conditions with relative humidity values as low as 15 percent in western Minnesota will combine with south winds of 15 to 25 mph and gusts up to 35 mph to create critical fire weather conditions this afternoon. Winds will increase further Thursday with gusts of 35 to 45 mph expected. Critical fire weather conditions are possible across the entire state of Minnesota Thursday. The National Weather Service in Twin Cities/Chanhassen has issued a Red Flag Warning, which is in effect from 11 AM to 7 PM CDT Thursday.

* AFFECTED AREA...Locations along and west of a line from Fairmont, to Willmar and Alexandria.

* WIND...South 15 to 25 mph gusting to 30 to 35 mph through early this evening, increasing to 20 to 30 mph with gusts of 35 to 45 mph Thursday.

* HUMIDITY...15 to 25 percent.

* IMPACTS...Any fires that develop will likely spread rapidly. Outdoor burning is not recommended.

* AFFECTED AREAS: DOUGLAS ... STEVENS ... POPE ... LAC QUI PARLE ... SWIFT ... CHIPPEWA ... KANDIYOHI ... YELLOW MEDICINE ... RENVILLE ... REDWOOD ... BROWN ... WATONWAN ... MARTIN

Instructions:

A Red Flag Warning means that critical fire weather conditions are either occurring now, or will shortly. A combination of strong winds, low relative humidity, and warm temperatures can contribute to extreme fire behavior.