Tuesday, September 11, 2012

Critical Fire Conditions

Dry vegetation due to the lack of rain combined with above normal temperatures and gusty winds are creating “critical fire danger” across southern Minnesota today.

firewx_09112012

A Red Flag Warning is in effect for the highlighted “critical” area above until 9 pm tonight.

redflagwarn_09112012

According to the Twin Cities National Weather Service:

“DANGEROUS FIRE WEATHER CONDITIONS LIE AHEAD TODAY ACROSS MOST OF SOUTHERN AND CENTRAL MINNESOTA. TEMPERATURES WILL RISE INTO THE UPPER 80S TO MID 90S UNDER THE CONTINUED INFLUENCE OF STRONG SOUTHERLY WINDS. MINIMUM RELATIVE HUMIDITY VALUES WILL DROP TO 20 TO 25 PERCENT. WIND GUSTS BETWEEN 30 AND 40 MPH ARE POSSIBLE...ESPECIALLY ACROSS SOUTHERN MINNESOTA.”

It may be wise to hold off on burning compost and other materials until we get some rain in the area, which will come Wednesday evening as a cold front sweeps through the area.

RS