Red Flag Warnings Spur Fire Restrictions Across Central US

The National Weather Service has issued Red Flag Warnings for large parts of the central United States, including a statewide alert for 35 counties in Minnesota. The warnings cite a combination of low relative humidity, high wind gusts and warm temperatures that can cause wildfires to ignite and spread rapidly.

Minnesota officials, through the Department of Natural Resources, have halted open‑burning permits and urged residents to avoid campfires, debris burning and any activities that could produce sparks. Similar advisories are in place for western Oklahoma, northern Texas, parts of South Dakota, Nebraska and other nearby counties, with humidity as low as 15 % and wind gusts up to 50 mph.

Residents in the affected areas are advised to keep fires extinguished, refrain from using equipment that can spark, and monitor updates from the National Weather Service or state agencies. The alerts are expected to remain in effect through the weekend in many locations.