“Wannaska Complex” Fires rage in NW MN: Shfting winds & rain ahead

Wind-driven fires 40+ mph gusts in northwest Minnesota Tuesday PM

"Wannaska Complex" At least 8 separate fires in northwest Minnesota

Smoke plume visible on Radar:

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The smoke plume is visible from the Grand Forks doppler radar about 60 miles away.

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The fact that you can see smoke on doppler 60 miles from the radar site indicates the smoke plume is significant and reaches several thousand feet into the air.

Here's the Tuesday late PM update from the Minnesota Incident Command System.

Fire Update -- Tuesday, Oct. 2, 4 p.m.

Posted on October 1, 2012 by jegoad

Extreme fire conditions in NW Minnesota today with several new starts. Example: Hallock, MN has temperature of 73, relative humidity of 19%, and winds from the SW at 35 mph, gusting to 43 mph.

Evacuations in the City of Karlstad. County Highway 27 Fire near Karlstad. Structures threatened. Two structures lost on south side of Karlstad. Civil Emergency Message posted. National Guard Blackhawks and at fire.

A new start north of the City of Viking about 4 to 5 miles long. Structures lost outside of town. Evacuations of some homes outside of town. The town itself is not threatened.

When working or recreating outdoors, please refrain form activities that could lead to fire ignitions. This includes equipment operations.

Campfire restrictions: Campfire restrictions remain in Northwest and Central Minnesota counties. Burning restrictions in most of the state.

Microcast: Shifting winds, rain & snow next 48 hours:

Northwest Minnesota will see a complex array of shifting winds, with rain developing Wednesday night that could change to accumulating snow as much colder air pushes south behind the system.

Source: Grand Forks NWS

Source: ISU

-Grand Forks NWS

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