High Risk for Dangerous Wildfires Continues Across Southern Minnesota

Rochester, MN (KROC-AM News)- Officials are again warning residents of southern Minnesota of an elevated wildfire risk Thursday. 

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The National Weather Service has issued a Red Flag Warning for the second day in a row for Olmsted, Dodge, Fillmore, Houston, Mower, Wabasha and Winona Counties. The warning in the Rochester area takes effect at noon and is set to expire at 8 p.m. 

Anoka, Blue Earth, Brown, Carver, Cottonwood, Dakota, Faribault, Freeborn, Goodhue, Hennepin, Jackson, Le Sueur, Martin, Nicollet, Nobles, Ramsey, Rice, Rock, Scott, Sibley, Steele, Waseca, Washington, and Watonwan Counties will be under a Red Flag warning from 11 a.m. until 8 p.m. Thursday.The DNR says continued warm temperatures, low humidity and strong winds paired with dry early spring conditions can cause a fire to quickly spread out of control. 

The Wisconsin DNR has also issued Red Flag Warning for a large southern swath of the state. Fire crews fought a wildfire that broke out on Wednesday and caused the closure of I-94, property evacuations and torched structures in its path. No injuries were reported 

Residents of Rochester and the surrounding communities are advised to avoid burning today and advise anyone who has done any recent burning to ensure the fire is out. The DNR is discouraging campfires and will not issue any open burning permits during a Red Flag Warning.