Issue date: 2026-03-27T16:17+00:00
...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. * 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.