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NWS: Near-critical fire weather conditions Oct. 18

Very dry air over the Northland combined with strong west winds will create near-critical fire weather conditions today, Oct. 18, the National Weather Service in Duluth reported.

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Very dry air over the Northland combined with strong west winds will create near-critical fire weather conditions today, Oct. 18, the National Weather Service in Duluth reported.

"Wind speeds of 10 to 20 mph with gusts as high as 30 mph and humidity values of 20 to 30 percent will enhance the potential for rapid fire spread and growth from the Brainerd lakes northeast across central and northern St. Louis County this afternoon. Avoid burning outdoors today and discard burning items, including cigarettes, in a safe and fire-resistant container," the weather service reported in a special weather statement.

Cass, Crow Wing and Aitkin counties were among those in the region with near-critical fire weather conditions. The weather service noted critical fire weather conditions are expected to continue over portions of northern Minnesota into tonight as high wind gusts, low humidity and dry fuels mean fires could spread quickly.

A Red Flag Warning for critical fire danger extends across much of North Dakota and northwestern Minnesota, from Moorhead to Bemidji and north to the Canadian border from 1 p.m. until 7 p.m. Wednesday, Oct. 18. A Red Flag Warning means that critical fire weather conditions are either occurring now, or will shortly, the weather service stated, adding "a combination of strong winds, low relative humidity, and warm temperatures can contribute to extreme fire behavior."

Factors creating the fire danger are from an area of low pressure moving eastward across the Canadian Prairies Oct. 18 pulling a cool front eastward across the Northland, the weather service noted.

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"Ahead of the front, winds will turn westerly and wind speeds will increase to 15 to 20 mph, with
higher gusts. Dry air in place across the Northland will be reinforced by a drier airmass behind the front. Mainly sunny to partly cloudy skies will allow temperatures to warm into the upper
50s ahead of the front, mixing even drier air aloft down to the ground level. Humidity values will plummet this afternoon into the 20 to 25 percent range."

Critical fire weather conditions will end at night as wind speeds diminish and humidities increase.
The forecast calls for continued dry, warm and breezy weather through Saturday, when the forecast calls for the first chance of showers. A cool down ie expected early next week with highs into the 50s and more chances for showers.

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