Red Flag Warning

...RED FLAG WARNING IN EFFECT FROM NOON CDT /11 AM MDT/ TO 9 PM CDT /8 PM MDT/ THURSDAY DUE TO WIND AND LOW RELATIVE HUMIDITY FOR PORTIONS OF NORTHWEST AND SOUTHWEST NORTH DAKOTA...

.Critical fire weather conditions are expected across portions of northwest and southwest North Dakota Thursday. Westerly winds will increase to around 15 to 25 mph with gusts up to 35 mph. A cold front will then move from northwest North Dakota to the southeast in the evening, shifting winds to the northwest. Relative humidity will fall to as low as 12 percent Thursday afternoon.

The National Weather Service in Bismarck ND has issued a Red Flag Warning.

* AFFECTED AREA...Portions of northwest and southwest North Dakota.

* TIMING...From noon CDT /11 AM MDT/ to 9 PM CDT /8 PM MDT/ Thursday.

* WINDS...West winds 15 to 25 mph with gusts up to 35 mph then shifting to the northwest in the evening.

* RELATIVE HUMIDITY...Relative Humidity between 12 to 18 percent.

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