...CRITICAL FIRE WEATHER CONDITIONS EXPECTED TODAY...

.Limited moisture associated with a passing cold front tonight will combine with strong northwest winds today to produce hazardous fire weather conditions. Forecast high temperatures are expected to reach the 80s area wide, leading to RH values falling below 20 percent. The winds are not expected to be quite as strong as Thursday, but look to remain high enough for critical fire weather. A Red Flag Warning remains in effect for this afternoon across portions of central and western Minnesota and west-central Wisconsin.

* AFFECTED AREA...Polk, Barron, and Rusk.

* TIMING...From noon today to 9 PM CDT this evening.

* WINDS...Southwest winds 10 to 15 mph with gusts up to 25 mph.

* RELATIVE HUMIDITY...Around 19 percent.

* IMPACTS...Any fires that develop will spread rapidly. Outdoor burning is not recommended.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

Please advise the appropriate officials or fire crews in the field of this Red Flag Warning. close