Red Flag Warning

...RED FLAG WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 9 PM CDT /8 PM MDT/ THIS EVENING FOR SOUTHWEST NORTH DAKOTA, AND FROM 11 AM MDT /NOON CDT/ THIS MORNING TO 8 PM MDT /9 PM CDT/ THIS EVENING FOR PARTS OF SOUTH CENTRAL NORTH DAKOTA...

.Critical fire weather conditions are expected across southwest and parts of south central North Dakota today. Northerly winds will increase to around 25 to 30 mph this afternoon, with gusts as high as 40 mph. Relative humidity could fall as low as 25 percent this afternoon.

* AFFECTED AREA...Mercer, Oliver, Morton, Grant, and Sioux Counties.

* TIMING...From noon CDT /11 AM MDT/ today to 9 PM CDT /8 PM MDT/ this evening.

* WINDS...North winds around 25 to 30 mph with gusts up to 40 mph.

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

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