The Minnesota Department of Natural Resources, in conjunction with the National Weather Service, has posted a red flag warning for 27 counties in Southwest and West Central Minnesota.
The warning is in effect from 1 p.m. today until 7 p.m.
The warning includes Cottonwood County, as well as Jackson, Murray, Nobles, Martin, Redwood, Watonwan and Brown counties.
A red flag warning means that fires can spread quickly and easily progress out of control under the predicted weather conditions, which include gusty winds and low relative humidity. Coupled with recent dry weather, and the danger from wildfires is particularly high.
Dry, windy conditions are expected today, which can carry embers from fires over a mile.
