Minnesota is facing dangerous fire weather conditions this week. Dry conditions mixed with high wind and low humidity mean even a single spark could cause dangerous situations statewide.
The conditions prompted the National Weather Service in the Twin Cities to issue Red Flag Warnings on Tuesday morning.
According to the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources, fall is the second busiest season and October is the fourth busiest month for wildfires in Minnesota for the DNR.
"We've reached that time of year where we've had some cold nights and some frost that's started the grasses and the plants into their winter slumber," said Minnesota DNR Fire Prevention supervisor Casey McCoy. "We're seeing a combination of that this week with an elevated wind speed, dryer air, and dryer ground conditions."
The drought monitor for Minnesota released on October 1 shows abnormally dry conditions throughout western, southwestern, north central, eastern, and south eastern Minnesota.
Moderate drought conditions are reported along the western border and southwestern corner of the state along with similar conditions in norther Minnesota.
Concerns about wildfires in Minnesota come as wildfires in California have burned over 4 million acres this year. With the fire season far from over in the west coast, it's a reminder that Minnesota isn't out of the woods either.
"Could we get something of 4 million acres? It's tough to say. Could we have something that causes significant losses? I absolutely think we could," said McCoy.
McCoy believes that Minnesota's lakes and snow-filled months often lull people into a complacency about the state's fire risks.
"We don't have the same fire seasons they do in California, we don't have the terrain and steep mountains like them," he said. "I look at areas, especially in the north portions of the metro, that given the right conditions, weather, and a fire start I think there's significant potential there for significant loss."
Luckily McCoy believes low cost home maintenance can help areas significantly reduce their fire risks.
"I think the members of the public can have the biggest impact is right at their home," said McCoy. "It's essentially focusing on that first 30 feet around your hosue."
Pruning trees up to six to ten feet in that area, cleaning pine tree needles out of gutters and off any wooden decks, and waiting to move any firewood for winter closer to the house.
"Rake the leaves, screen in the decks, and clean under the decks if you need to. It doesn't cost a lot," he said.
National Fire Prevention Week began Sunday, October 4 and runs through Saturday. Dangerous fire conditions are expected to exist for most of the week with a potential for rain late into the weekend.
More tips about preventing wildfires and staying safe during fire seasons can be found at the DNR's Firewise page.
