Fire danger is VERY HIGH and a Red Flag warning has been issued

According to the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources fire danger is VERY HIGH in Cook County. The rain received on Friday and early Saturday was not enough to reduce the drought conditions impacting most of the state. A VERY HIGH fire danger means fires can start easily and spread at a very fast rate.

Fire danger is increased today, July 25, due to the low humidity and strong winds. The National Weather Service has issued a Red Flag Warning for many counties, including St. Louis, Lake and Cook County.

A Red Flag Warning means the area is experiencing critical weather conditions that are ideal for wildfire, including strong winds and low humidity. Do not burn while the Red Flag Warning remains in effect and check any burning done recently to ensure the fire is out. Any spark could become a wildfire under Red Flag conditions.

The Red Flag Warning expires at 6 p.m. today, however fire danger remains VERY HIGH.

The Grand Marais Fire and Maple Hill Fire departments were called to a possible fire at Pike Lake. Responders found that the fire, which had been reported from across the lake, was a campfire at a private residence. The fire was in a fire ring and the party had a water source nearby, but after speaking with Cook County law enforcement agreed to extinguish the fire.

WTIP joins the U.S. Forest Service, Minnesota Department of Natural Resources, and the National Weather Service in asking all residents and visitors to refrain from campfires or other activities that could spark a fire.