Midwest Grapples With Wildfires Amid Record Heat and Dry Conditions
A large portion of the Upper Midwest and Northern Plains, including Minnesota, Wisconsin, the Dakotas, and Nebraska, faced extreme wildfire risk due to unseasonably high temperatures nearing 100 degrees and dry conditions. Most of Minnesota's counties were under red flag warnings as wildfires fueled by low humidity and strong winds wreaked havoc, with significant fires like the Camp House fire consuming hundreds of acres and prompting evacuations. The Turtle Mountain Band of Chippewa Indians in North Dakota had previously declared a fire emergency, prohibiting outdoor grilling due to multiple fires on their reservation. The Storm Prediction Center identified areas of 'critical' wildfire risk, particularly from northern Nebraska to northwestern Minnesota. Forecasters anticipated continued dry conditions and high temperatures, sustaining an elevated wildfire threat through the week, particularly along the Red River border of the Dakotas and Minnesota.
Context:
A large portion of the Upper Midwest and Northern Plains, including Minnesota, Wisconsin, the Dakotas, and Nebraska, faced extreme wildfire risk due to unseasonably high temperatures nearing 100 degrees and dry conditions. Most of Minnesota's counties were under red flag warnings as wildfires fueled by low humidity and strong winds wreaked havoc, with significant fires like the Camp House fire consuming hundreds of acres and prompting evacuations. The Turtle Mountain Band of Chippewa Indians in North Dakota had previously declared a fire emergency, prohibiting outdoor grilling due to multiple fires on their reservation. The Storm Prediction Center identified areas of 'critical' wildfire risk, particularly from northern Nebraska to northwestern Minnesota. Forecasters anticipated continued dry conditions and high temperatures, sustaining an elevated wildfire threat through the week, particularly along the Red River border of the Dakotas and Minnesota.
Dive Deeper:
A significant part of the Upper Midwest, including Minnesota, Wisconsin, the Dakotas, and Nebraska, was under high alert as temperatures approached 100 degrees, exacerbating wildfire risks. The National Weather Service issued warnings due to extremely dry conditions and low humidity levels below 20 percent.
In Minnesota, nearly all counties were under a red flag warning, signaling extreme fire danger as wildfires broke out across the state. The heatwave led to record-breaking temperatures, with the Twin Cities reaching 90 degrees, surpassing a record set in 1900.
The Camp House fire in northeastern Minnesota near Brimson consumed over 750 acres, destroying cabins and causing evacuations, with no reported injuries. This fire was part of approximately 20 wildfires burning in the region at the time.
North Dakota's Turtle Mountain Band of Chippewa Indians had declared a fire emergency, banning outdoor grilling due to ongoing wildfires. Thirteen fires were reported burning on the reservation when the emergency was declared.
The Storm Prediction Center highlighted an area of 'critical' wildfire risk from northern Nebraska to northwestern Minnesota, while a broader region faced a lower level of wildfire risk. Strong winds, low humidity, and high temperatures contributed to the elevated fire danger.
Forecasts indicated that the conditions leading to these wildfires, including dry weather and record temperatures, would persist, maintaining an elevated risk along the Red River border of the Dakotas and Minnesota. Strong winds up to 30 mph further intensified the threat.