CORCORAN, Minn. (WCCO) – Fire crews have been busy this week with dryer than normal conditions, and Friday they battled a large blaze in the northwest suburbs.
Investigators said they believe a fire near Corcoran was set intentionally. Fire officials said about 100 acres have burned and crews have mostly put the fire out.
Several cities and counties in Minnesota have issued fire restrictions early this spring as a result of the dry conditions. The fire remains under investigation.
The Minnesota Department of Natural Resources issued a red flag fire warning for Friday and throughout the weekend for much of Minnesota. The warning means there is a high to extreme danger for fires to start because of the low humidity and high winds.
The warning is in effect for west central Minnesota from 1 p.m. to 8 p.m. Friday as winds are expected to be sustained at 25 miles per hour and could gust to 35 miles per hour. The DNR said fire danger is extreme for the western half of Minnesota.
An extreme fire danger rating means fires can start quickly, spread rapidly and burn intensely.
