Monday, October 1 2012 6:05 PM EDT2012-10-01 22:05:53 GMT
Fire in Columbus, Minn.
Now that the National Weather Service has declared another red flag fire warning , the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources is urging people to use caution outdoors.
Now that the National Weather Service has declared another red flag fire warning , the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources is urging people to use caution outdoors because of the extreme fire danger in many parts of the state.
New burn bans also took effect on Sunday morning as extreme fire danger persists across much of the state. The DNR added 21 counties -- including those in the metro area -- to the list.
Those counties are:
Aitkin
Anoka
Carlton
Carver
Cass
Chisago
Crow Wing
Dakota
Fillmore
Goodhue
Hennepin
Houston
Isanti
Olmsted
Pine
Ramsey
Scott
Sherburne
Wabasha
Washington
Winona
Wright
The ban means open fires and fireworks are not allowed, and no burning permits will be issued. Campfires are still allowed in campgrounds or in a designated receptacle associated with a home, but they must be smaller than 3 feet in diameter and height.
DNR officials say severe drought coupled with the windy conditions mean that fires are starting easily from sparks or windblown embers and then spreading quickly.
Counties in the northern part of the state saw their burn bans take effect two weeks ago, but the dry weather and windy conditions have upped the number of counties where burn bans are in effect to 43.
