Fire Conditions Prompt Red Flag Warning In Southwest North Dakota

The National Weather Service has issued a Red Flag Warning for most of Southwest and South-Central North Dakota.

The warning went into effect early Monday morning, and will remain in effect until early evening.

The alert was issued due to hazardous fire conditions, including low humidity, strong winds, and dry fuels. All of which pose a significant threat of starting fast-spreading wildfires.

The weather system is bringing strong winds that could reach 40 mph, with gusts reaching as high as 60 mph.

Forecasters with the National Weather Service predict a cold front traveling from north to south over the state.

Once the front passes through, humidity is likely to return quickly. However, dry conditions combined with strong winds will cause a major fire risk to persist for several hours.

Grasses and dry plants are some of the most combustible compounds nature has to offer. Meaning that any fire that starts could spread quickly and get difficult to control.

Details of Warning:

Winds: Up to forty miles per hour, with sixty-mile gusts

Levels of humidity as low as 18%

Affected Areas: Southwest and south-central North Dakota; McKenzie, Dunn, Mercer, Stark, Burleigh, Morton, and adjacent counties

Safety Measures for Fire:

Red Flag Warning indicates that either projected or actual critical fire weather is about to strike. Residents are advised to refrain from outdoor burning as well as from any activity that can produce sparks or flames. Officials caution that under these circumstances, wildfires under control may turn wild in minutes.