Open burning, including campfires, is not recommended in Koochiching County.

Red Flag Warnings are being issued by the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources in five northeastern Minnesota counties, including Koochiching.

A Red Flag Warning means fires can spread quickly and easily progress out of control under weather conditions that include strong winds and low relative humidity.

The DNR says residents should not burn in areas where a Red Flag Warning is in effect.

It adds it will not issue or activate burning permits until the warning is removed.

“Any spark could become a wildfire under Red Flag conditions,” says Karen Harrison, DNR wildfire prevention specialist.

The fire danger is listed as high in those areas.

There have been more than 450 fires across the state this year.

There are no active fires in northwestern Ontario.

The forest fire hazard is low to moderate in most areas.