Fire warning issued for SW Minn.

by Rupa Shenoy, Minnesota Public Radio

A red flag warning is in effect for southwestern Minnesota, from Blue Earth to Arlington and north to Ortonville.

State fire officials say that means the chances of fire are very high in dry croplands, particularly those that have been harvested.

In northern Minnestoa, the 75-acre fire near Parley Lake in the Superior National Forest is at 40 percent containment. Aircraft crews continue to drop water on the fire, and ground crews are on the scene. The 500-acre Emerald Lake fire, between Knife and Emerald lakes, is currently on the Canadian side of the border.

Officials expect a cold front to bring showers and thunderstorms on Sunday in central and southern parts of the state.