Red Flag Warning 7, NWS Grand Forks, ND

Becker County, MN, Clay County, MN, Grant County, MN, Kittson County, MN, Mahnomen County, MN, Marshall County, MN, Norman County, MN, Otter Tail County, MN, Polk County, MN, Wadena County, MN, Wilkin County, MN, Barnes County, ND, Cass County, ND, Eddy County, ND, Grand Forks County, ND, Griggs County, ND, Nelson County, ND, Pembina County, ND, Ransom County, ND, Richland County, ND, Sargent County, ND, Steele County, ND, Traill County, ND, Walsh County, ND

126 
WWUS83 KFGF 081230
RFWFGF

URGENT - FIRE WEATHER MESSAGE
National Weather Service Grand Forks ND
730 AM CDT Fri May 8 2026

MNZ002-003-022-027>032-040-082300-
/O.EXB.KFGF.FW.W.0007.260508T1800Z-260508T2300Z/
Norman-Clay-Mahnomen-West Becker-East Becker-Wilkin-
West Otter Tail-East Otter Tail-Wadena-Grant-
730 AM CDT Fri May 8 2026

...RED FLAG WARNING IN EFFECT FROM 1 PM THIS AFTERNOON TO 6 PM
CDT THIS EVENING FOR WIND AND LOW RELATIVE HUMIDITY FOR WEST
CENTRAL MINNESOTA...

The National Weather Service in Grand Forks has issued a Red Flag
Warning for wind and low relative humidity, which is in effect
from 1 PM this afternoon to 6 PM CDT this evening.

* AFFECTED AREA...In Minnesota, Norman, Clay, Mahnomen, West 
  Becker, East Becker, Wilkin, West Otter Tail, East Otter Tail, 
  Wadena and Grant.

* WINDS...Northwest 15 to 25 mph with gusts up to 35 mph.

* RELATIVE HUMIDITY...As low as 20 percent.

* IMPACTS...Any fires that ignite will spread rapidly and become 
  difficult to control. Outdoor burning is not recommended.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

A Red Flag Warning means that critical fire weather conditions
are either occurring now, or will shortly. A combination of
strong winds, low relative humidity, and warm temperatures can
contribute to extreme fire behavior.

&&

$$

NDZ024-028>030-038-039-049-052-053-090100-
/O.CON.KFGF.FW.W.0007.260508T1600Z-260509T0100Z/
Eddy-Griggs-Steele-Traill-Barnes-Cass-Ransom-Sargent-Richland-
730 AM CDT Fri May 8 2026

...RED FLAG WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT FROM 11 AM THIS MORNING TO
8 PM CDT THIS EVENING FOR WIND AND LOW RELATIVE HUMIDITY FOR
SOUTHEASTERN NORTH DAKOTA...

* AFFECTED AREA...In North Dakota, Eddy, Griggs, Steele, Traill, 
  Barnes, Cass, Ransom, Sargent and Richland.

* WINDS...Northwest 20 to 30 mph with gusts up to 40 mph.

* RELATIVE HUMIDITY...As low as 20 percent.

* IMPACTS...Any fires that ignite will spread rapidly and become 
  difficult to control. Outdoor burning is not recommended.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

A Red Flag Warning means that critical fire weather conditions
are either occurring now, or will shortly. A combination of
strong winds, low relative humidity, and warm temperatures can
contribute to extreme fire behavior.

&&

$$

500 
WWUS83 KFGF 081707
RFWFGF

URGENT - FIRE WEATHER MESSAGE
National Weather Service Grand Forks ND
1207 PM CDT Fri May 8 2026

MNZ001-004-007-NDZ008-016-026-027-090100-
/O.EXB.KFGF.FW.W.0007.260508T1800Z-260509T0100Z/
West Polk-Kittson-West Marshall-Pembina-Eastern Walsh-Nelson-
Grand Forks-
1207 PM CDT Fri May 8 2026

...RED FLAG WARNING IN EFFECT UNTIL 8 PM CDT THIS EVENING FOR
WIND AND LOW RELATIVE HUMIDITY FOR THE NORTHERN RED RIVER VALLEY...

The National Weather Service in Grand Forks has issued a Red Flag
Warning for wind and low relative humidity, which is in effect
until 8 PM CDT this evening.

* AFFECTED AREA...In Minnesota, West Polk, Kittson and West 
  Marshall. In North Dakota, Pembina, Eastern Walsh, Nelson and 
  Grand Forks.

* WINDS...Northwest 15 to 25 mph with gusts up to 40 mph.

* RELATIVE HUMIDITY...As low as 25 percent.

* IMPACTS...Any fires that ignite will spread rapidly and become 
  difficult to control. Outdoor burning is not recommended.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

A Red Flag Warning means that critical fire weather conditions
are either occurring now, or will shortly. A combination of
strong winds, low relative humidity, and warm temperatures can
contribute to extreme fire behavior.

&&

$$

MNZ002-003-022-027>032-040-090100-
/O.EXT.KFGF.FW.W.0007.260508T1800Z-260509T0100Z/
Norman-Clay-Mahnomen-West Becker-East Becker-Wilkin-
West Otter Tail-East Otter Tail-Wadena-Grant-
1207 PM CDT Fri May 8 2026

...RED FLAG WARNING NOW IN EFFECT UNTIL 8 PM CDT THIS EVENING FOR
WIND AND LOW RELATIVE HUMIDITY FOR WEST CENTRAL MINNESOTA...

* AFFECTED AREA...In Minnesota, Norman, Clay, Mahnomen, West 
  Becker, East Becker, Wilkin, West Otter Tail, East Otter Tail, 
  Wadena and Grant.

* WINDS...Northwest 15 to 25 mph with gusts up to 40 mph.

* RELATIVE HUMIDITY...As low as 19 percent.

* IMPACTS...Any fires that ignite will spread rapidly and become 
  difficult to control. Outdoor burning is not recommended.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

A Red Flag Warning means that critical fire weather conditions
are either occurring now, or will shortly. A combination of
strong winds, low relative humidity, and warm temperatures can
contribute to extreme fire behavior.

&&

$$

NDZ024-028>030-038-039-049-052-053-090100-
/O.CON.KFGF.FW.W.0007.000000T0000Z-260509T0100Z/
Eddy-Griggs-Steele-Traill-Barnes-Cass-Ransom-Sargent-Richland-
1207 PM CDT Fri May 8 2026

...RED FLAG WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 8 PM CDT THIS EVENING
FOR WIND AND LOW RELATIVE HUMIDITY FOR SOUTHEASTERN NORTH DAKOTA...

* AFFECTED AREA...In North Dakota, Eddy, Griggs, Steele, Traill, 
  Barnes, Cass, Ransom, Sargent and Richland.

* WINDS...Northwest 20 to 30 mph with gusts up to 40 mph.

* RELATIVE HUMIDITY...As low as 20 percent.

* IMPACTS...Any fires that ignite will spread rapidly and become 
  difficult to control. Outdoor burning is not recommended.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

A Red Flag Warning means that critical fire weather conditions
are either occurring now, or will shortly. A combination of
strong winds, low relative humidity, and warm temperatures can
contribute to extreme fire behavior.

&&

$$

680 
WWUS83 KFGF 090052
RFWFGF

URGENT - FIRE WEATHER MESSAGE
National Weather Service Grand Forks ND
752 PM CDT Fri May 8 2026

MNZ001>004-007-022-027>032-040-NDZ008-016-024-026>030-038-039-049-
052-053-090200-
/O.EXP.KFGF.FW.W.0007.000000T0000Z-260509T0100Z/
West Polk-Norman-Clay-Kittson-West Marshall-Mahnomen-West Becker-
East Becker-Wilkin-West Otter Tail-East Otter Tail-Wadena-Grant-
Pembina-Eastern Walsh-Eddy-Nelson-Grand Forks-Griggs-Steele-
Traill-Barnes-Cass-Ransom-Sargent-Richland-
752 PM CDT Fri May 8 2026

...RED FLAG WARNING WILL EXPIRE AT 8 PM CDT THIS EVENING...

Relative humidity values will rise as a front moves through the
region. Showers will likely bring increased wind gusts between
40-50 mph, but this will occur simultaneously with relative
humidity values pushing past 50%. There may be a period over the
next hour or two of some locations hitting red flag criteria,
however widespread impacts have ceased.

$$

Area Forecast Discussion
National Weather Service Grand Forks ND
1122 PM CDT Thu May 7 2026

.KEY MESSAGES...

- At least near critical fire weather conditions will continue
  through the weekend with a 20 percent chance for critical
  fire weather conditions on Friday.

&&

.DISCUSSION...
Issued at 221 PM CDT Thu May 7 2026

...Synopsis...

Northwesterly flow aloft continues through tonight and tomorrow,
with the next shortwave digging down Friday night into Saturday.
The northwesterly flow aloft returns for Sunday and Monday
before another shortwave pushes through the Northern Plains
Monday night and Tuesday. After this shortwave, ensemble members
are all over the place with some clusters pushing ridging into
the Plains and other clusters keeping us in northwesterly flow.
Predictability is low although the ECMWF EFI does show our
colder temperatures signal transitioning over to warmer than
average by days 6 and 7.

...This afternoon's near critical fire weather...

Temperatures finally not quite as cool as they have been this
week and most spots have risen into the 50s. With dew points in
the teens to low 20s, relative humidity values have dropped into
the 20 to 30 percent range for the most part. Winds are mostly
under 15 mph although a few spots are gusting up to around 20
mph. SPS for near critical fire weather conditions continues to
seem good, and the low RH values will continue into this evening
before temperatures start to drop.

...Tomorrow and beyond fire weather concerns...

Similar RH values are expected for tomorrow afternoon, and there
will be more of a pressure gradient as a surface trough moves
through. While winds look higher than today, there is only
around 30 kts to mix down and not much in the way of pressure
rises. The 50th percentile of NBM has some 25 mph sustained
winds in east central ND, but may be due to the NBM's bias in
that area. The HREF joint probability for winds over 25 mph and
RH values under 25 percent doesn't have much. Dropping the winds
threshold down to 20 mph gives us some low chances for critical
fire weather conditions on the MN side, around 20 percent.
Definitely could see critical to near critical fire conditions
for tomorrow afternoon, but not confident enough to go with a
watch at this point. Still breezy into Saturday, but slightly
cooler temps should bring higher RH values and there will be a
low chance for showers. Less wind and similar RH values for
Sunday.

&&

.AVIATION /06Z TAFS THROUGH 06Z SATURDAY/...
Issued at 1119 PM CDT Thu May 7 2026

VFR conditions will prevail for the TAF period. Winds will
remain light and variable overnight, becoming northwesterly to
northerly through the day tomorrow. Winds will peak early to mid
afternoon with sustained winds in non-tree landscapes generally
15-20 knots, gusting to 30 knots, with more tree filled areas
generally 10-15 knots, gusting to 20 knots. Showers will move
through late tomorrow afternoon, potentially impacting TAF
sites, although rainfall rates should be light enough to avoid
any visibility reductions. The main concern from any showers
will be changes in wind direction and speed beneath these
showers as we remain fairly dry near the surface. These will
work their way southeastward and exit the region after the TAF
period ends around 09-12z Saturday morning.

&&

.FGF WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES...
ND...None.
MN...None.

&&

DISCUSSION...JR
AVIATION...Perroux

Hazardous Weather Outlook
National Weather Service Grand Forks ND
709 PM CDT Thu May 7 2026

MNZ001>009-013>017-022>024-027>032-040-090015-
West Polk-Norman-Clay-Kittson-Roseau-Lake Of The Woods-
West Marshall-East Marshall-North Beltrami-Pennington-Red Lake-
East Polk-North Clearwater-South Beltrami-Mahnomen-
South Clearwater-Hubbard-West Becker-East Becker-Wilkin-
West Otter Tail-East Otter Tail-Wadena-Grant-
709 PM CDT Thu May 7 2026

This hazardous weather outlook is for portions of west central
and northwest Minnesota.

.DAY ONE...Tonight

Near critical fire weather conditions are continue this evening
with relative humidity values cresting 25% by 10pm.

.DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...Friday through Wednesday

At least near critical fire weather conditions will continue
through the weekend with the potential for critical fire
weather conditions, particularly on Friday.

.SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT...

Spotter activation is not anticipated today.

NDZ006>008-014>016-024-026>030-038-039-049-052>054-090015-
Towner-Cavalier-Pembina-Benson-Ramsey-Eastern Walsh-Eddy-Nelson-
Grand Forks-Griggs-Steele-Traill-Barnes-Cass-Ransom-Sargent-
Richland-Western Walsh-
709 PM CDT Thu May 7 2026

This hazardous weather outlook is for portions of eastern North
Dakota.

.DAY ONE...Tonight

The probability for widespread hazardous weather is low.

.DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...Friday through Wednesday

At least near critical fire weather conditions will continue
through the weekend with the potential for critical fire
weather conditions, particularly on Friday.

.SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT...

Spotter activation is not anticipated today.

Special Weather Statement
National Weather Service Grand Forks ND
238 AM CDT Fri May 8 2026

MNZ001>003-014>017-022>024-027>032-040-090100-
West Polk-Norman-Clay-Red Lake-East Polk-North Clearwater-
South Beltrami-Mahnomen-South Clearwater-Hubbard-West Becker-
East Becker-Wilkin-West Otter Tail-East Otter Tail-Wadena-Grant-
Including the cities of Crookston, East Grand Forks, Ada,
Halstad, Moorhead, Red Lake Falls, Fosston, Bagley, Bemidji,
Mahnomen, Lake Itasca, Park Rapids, Detroit Lakes, Two Inlets,
Breckenridge, Fergus Falls, New York Mills, Wadena,
and Elbow Lake
238 AM CDT Fri May 8 2026

...NEAR CRITICAL FIRE WEATHER CONDITIONS ACROSS WEST CENTRAL
MINNESOTA TODAY...

Relative humidity values will drop to around 20 percent along
with northwest winds occasionally gusting up to 25 mph. Given the
extremely dry fuels, near critical fire weather conditions are
expected from late this morning throughout the afternoon and early
evening hours. Any fire that does develop has the potential to
quickly spread.

For more information on burning restrictions for Minnesota, see
www.dnr.state.mn.us/forestry/fire/firerating_restrictions.html