Much of Minnesota is under a Red Flag Warning thanks to dry conditions, low humidity and relatively high winds.
Evidence of that danger is forcing firefighters north of Duluth to battle a wildfire that's tripled in size since starting on Sunday - and so far burned at least three homes.
St. Louis County authorities say the fire broke out Sunday in Alt Township and it's now grown to 750 acres. The wildfire remains out of control with 50 homes now evacuated.
There is also now a second fire burning in the area according to St. Louis County Sheriff Gordon Ramsey.
"We have a second large wildfire that is located off of Town Line Rd (Hwy 16) near Hwy 110," the sheriff notes on social media. "One structure has been engulfed. Crews are on scene. This is a different fire than the Camp House Rd."
"It is dry, hot, and windy," says Karen Harrison who is a wildfire prevention specialist with the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources.
The public is asked to avoid the area for their own safety and the safety of fire personnel.
Harrison says everyone needs to take extreme precautions and try not to spark a fire.
"It's any spark. So if you're out doing yard work, just be cautious," says Harrison. "If you hit a rock, look for smoke. If you're out working in the fields, make sure you're looking behind you regularly and you don't see any smoke or fire. And if you do spot a wildfire, get to a safe location and call 911 right away."
Harrison says 80 of Minnesota's 87 counties are under a Red Flag Warning, as is Western Wisconsin.
“When fire risk is this high, any spark could become a wildfire,” said Harrison. “People should use extreme caution until conditions improve.”
On top of the fire threat, there is also an Air Quality Alert for a portion of the state. That runs until 9:00 p.m. Monday night.
Temperatures are expected to hit the upper 80s to near 90 in the Twin Cities and beyond Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday before a cool down and some much-needed rain come into the state Wednesday night through the weekend.
RED FLAG WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT FROM NOON MONDAY TO 9 PM MONDAY EVENING FOR GUSTY WINDS AND LOW RELATIVE HUMIDITY FOR CENTRAL AND SOUTHERN MINNESOTA AND PORTIONS OF WESTERN WISCONSIN
* WIND...South to southwest winds of 10 to 15 mph with gusts up to 30 mph.
* HUMIDITY...As low as 15 percent.
* IMPACTS...Any fires that develop will likely spread rapidly. Outdoor burning is not recommended.