There is a Red Flag Fire Warning until 9 p.m. today, Wednesday, for northeastern Minnesota because of low humidity, strong winds and warm temperatures, according to a news release by the Minnesota Incident Command System.

Although the rest of the state is not under a Red Flag Warning, conditions are favorable for fires to start and move quickly today. Most fires occurred late Tuesday afternoon and early evening.

Update on fires:

  • The Green Valley Fire (near Menahga) - Burned through a pine stand with crowning, approximately 3,000 to 4,000 acres. Several structures were threatened and several lost (no confirmation on number and type of structures lost). A unified command includes the MNICS Incident Management Team, Becker County Sheriff, Wadena County Sheriff, the Menahga Fire Department and the Wolf Lake Fire Department. Public meeting at 8 pm this evening at the Menahga Elementar School. Some evacuations are in place. Highway 71 between Menahga and Park Rapids is closed from County Rd 87 to the north to Main Street Menahga on the south edge of town.
  • The two fires at Red Lake burned actively but the small amount of rain earlier yesterday kept the Buffalo Ranch Fire from spreading. The total acreage was reduced to 4,900 acres after more accurate mapping. The National Guard provided support on the River Road Fire with a Blackhawk helicopter and a Chinook helicopter. The Incident Management Team that was in place at Red Lake was moved to the Green Valley fire at Menahga Tuesday night.
  • A fire northeast of Camp Ripley threatened structures, a Single Engine Air Tanker and CL-215 scooper flew on it.
  • Two Fire Boss aircraft assisted Wisconsin on a fire near Solon Springs that was crowning in pine. That fire is now several thousand acres. Detaile information would be available from the Wisconsin DNR.
  • DNR, federal agencies, and local fire departments responded to many fires Tuesday and we expect high fire danger to continue for the next two days. Winds speeds will be slightly lower today but humidities are going to be low and temperatures warm. Some rain may develop for the weekend.
  • Burning permits are not being issued in the northern two thirds of Minnesota today.

For more information go to www.mnics.org. or call 218 327-4558 and ask for the information staff.