Red flag warning continues for St. Louis County amid fire risk

A campfire, brush pile or spark from yard work could turn dangerous fast across St. Louis County as red flag warnings stayed in effect and the National Weather Service Duluth warned of critical fire weather through the evening.

The forecast called for hot, dry and windy conditions across northeast Minnesota and most of northwest Wisconsin, with temperatures in the 70s and 80s, sustained winds of 10 to 15 mph and gusts of 20 to 25 mph. Minimum relative humidity was expected to fall to about 20 to 30 percent, a combination that can allow flames to race through dry grass and brush. Earlier fire-weather messaging from the weather service said gusts could reach as high as 35 mph Friday.

County officials have been blunt about the risk. St. Louis County says escaped debris fires are the No. 1 cause of wildfires in Minnesota, a reminder that a small backyard burn, a controlled fire that gets away, or an ember from outdoor work can become a countywide problem in a hurry. The county, which says it is the largest county east of the Mississippi River and sits in the Arrowhead region of northeastern Minnesota, urges residents to check fire danger ratings, burning restrictions and burn permits before lighting any fire.

For homeowners, campers and contractors, the safest move was to avoid burning altogether and skip any activity that could throw sparks. That included backyard debris piles, outdoor burning and work that could ignite dry vegetation around homes, campsites and job sites. The weather service specifically urged people to avoid burning Friday as critical fire weather covered the region.

Saturday was also expected to stay touchy, especially south of U.S. Highway 2, where near-critical fire weather conditions were likely. The National Weather Service Duluth said the danger could ease only after a pattern shift Sunday into Monday, when heavy rain and thunderstorms were expected to move in early next week.

St. Louis County also directs residents to preparedness resources and emergency alerts through Northland Alert. Until the weather turns, the message from Duluth forecasters and county officials is the same: do not start a fire, and do not give one a chance to start on its own.