...Critical Fire Spread Conditions Saturday Afternoon in southeast Minnesota and northeast Iowa... .Strong winds and very dry air will cause critical fire weather conditions on Saturday afternoon and very early evening. Dormant grasses and leaf debris could be favorable for easy ignition and spread of fire. The National Weather Service in La Crosse has issued a Red Flag Warning which is in effect from noon to 7 PM Saturday for critical weather conditions that favor rapidly spreading fires. The Fire Weather Watch is no longer in effect. * AFFECTED AREA...In Iowa, Mitchell, Howard, Floyd and Chickasaw. In Minnesota, Wabasha, Dodge, Olmsted, Mower and Fillmore. * TIMING...From noon to 7 PM CDT Saturday. * WINDS...Southwest 15 to 25 mph with gusts up to 40 mph. * RELATIVE HUMIDITY...15 to 22 percent. * TEMPERATURES...In the low to middle 50s. * IMPACTS...Any fire that develops will catch and spread quickly. Outdoor burning is not recommended.

...Fire Weather Watch from 1 PM to 7 PM Saturday for portions of southeast Minnesota and northeast Iowa... .Strong winds and very dry air cause potentially critical fire weather conditions on Saturday afternoon and evening. While near surface grasses remain green, residual dormant and withered long grasses could be conducive of ignition and rapid spread. The National Weather Service in La Crosse has issued a Fire Weather Watch for strong winds and low humidity, which is in effect from Saturday afternoon through Saturday evening. * AFFECTED AREA...In Iowa, Mitchell, Howard, Floyd and Chickasaw. In Minnesota, Wabasha, Dodge, Olmsted, Mower and Fillmore. * TIMING...From Saturday afternoon through Saturday evening. * WINDS...Southwest at 25 mph with gusts up to 35 mph. * RELATIVE HUMIDITY...As low as 20 percent. * TEMPERATURES...Up to 55. * IMPACTS...Any fire that develops will catch and spread quickly. Outdoor burning is not recommended.