NEAR-CRITICAL TO CRITICAL FIRE WEATHER CONDITIONS ACROSS PORTIONS OF THE BRAINERD LAKES AREA MONDAY. .Monday will see a dry cold front sweeping west to east across the region, reaching the Brainerd Lakes region by late afternoon, both increasing winds and significantly lowering dew points. Minimum humidity values could dip to 20 percent in spots. 20ft winds ahead of and behind this front will be 10-20 mph with gusts up to 30 mph. * AFFECTED AREA. In Minnesota, North Cass, South Cass, Crow Wing, Northern Aitkin and South Aitkin. Including the communities of Brainerd, Aitkin, McGregor, Pine River, Longville, Walker, and Leader. * WINDS. West 15 to 20 mph with gusts up to 35 mph. * RELATIVE HUMIDITY. As low as 20 percent. * IMPACTS. This combination of wind and minimum RH could lead to the rapid spread of fires.

Dry conditions and gusty winds will lead to near-critical fire weather conditions today. Southerly winds of 10 to 20 mph with gusts of 25 to 35 mph are forecast late this morning. Winds will turn westerly and remain strong behind a cold front which will advance from west to east this afternoon and evening. Minimum relative humidity values of 25 to 35 percent are also expected. Together, these conditions could lead to the rapid spread of fires. Check burning restrictions and fire danger before burning. Relative humidities are forecast to rise this evening and should be above 35 percent by 9 PM. Wind speeds and gusts are expected to remain strong through the night. For more information on burning restrictions for Minnesota, see www.dnr.state.mn.us/forestry/fire/firerating_restrictions.html.

CRITICAL FIRE WEATHER CONDITIONS ACROSS PORTIONS OF CENTRAL AND NORTH-CENTRAL MINNESOTA TODAY. .Strong and gusty southerly winds are forecast today into this evening ahead of an approaching cold front, turning westerly and northwesterly after the passage of the front. A dry airmass remains in place over the region and with daytime heating, will drop relative humidity into the 20 to 30 percent range by late this morning. Lower dewpoint air will follow the cold front and keep RH values low behind the front. The combination of low RH, strong and gusty winds, and limited precipitation over the past several weeks, will create critical fire weather conditions for portions of central and north-central Minnesota today and this evening. RH values will improve this evening as the air near the ground begins to cool around sunset. The National Weather Service in Duluth has issued a Red Flag Warning for wind and low relative humidity, which is in effect from 10 AM this morning to 9 PM CDT this evening. The Fire Weather Watch is no longer in effect. * AFFECTED AREA. In Minnesota, North Cass, South Cass, Crow Wing, Northern Aitkin and South Aitkin. This includes the communities of Brainerd, Aitkin, McGregor, Pine River, Longville, Walker, and Leader. * WINDS. West 15 to 20 mph with gusts up to 35 mph. * RELATIVE HUMIDITY. As low as 20 percent. * IMPACTS. This combination of wind and minimum RH could lead to the rapid spread of fires.