Faribault Fire Chief Dustin Dienst was our guest on the KDHL AM Minnesota program this morning and took the opportunity to give details about the Red Flag Warning issued by the National Weather Service.

The Minnesota Department of Natural Resources provided this information:

Red Flag Warning issued

Extreme fire conditions today have resulted in the National Weather Service issuing a Red Flag Warning for the following counties:

Anoka, Benton, Blue Earth, Brown, Carver, Chippewa, Chisago, Dakota, Douglas, Faribault, Freeborn, Goodhue, Hennepin, Isanti, Kanabec, Kandiyohi, Lac Qui Parle, Le Sueur, Martin, McLeod, Meeker, Mille Lacs, Morrison, Nicollet, Pope, Ramsey, Redwood, Renville, Rice, Scott, Sherburne, Sibley, Stearns, Steele, Stevens, Swift, Todd, Waseca, Washington, Watonwan, Wright, and Yellow Medicine.

A Red Flag Warning means the area is experiencing critical weather conditions that are ideal for wildfire, including strong winds and minimum humidity values. Do not burn while the Red Flag Warning remains in effect and check any burning done recently to ensure the fire is out. Any spark could become a wildfire under Red Flag conditions.

The Red Flag Warning expires at 6 p.m.

Dienst told us the conditions are ideal for grass fires and urged people to keep their cigarette butts in their vehicles.  Recreational fires are currently allowed bud Dienst says he would not recommend those at this time either.

Dienst appeared in studio today wearing a protective mask.  He also passed along information Governor Tim Walz talked about over the weekend.  The Governor asked people staying home to make masks which will be donated to those in need.  The masks can be delivered to your local fire department.

Dienst says there will be bins located just inside the front door and outside near the back door of the fire station.  They will be collected by Rice County Emergency Management and distributed.

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