According to WCCO meteorologist Joseph Dames, Minnesota is bracing for hot and breezy weather, significantly increasing the risk of fires. Temperatures are expected to hit the 80s°F (around 27°C) on Wednesday, April 21, 2026, which is unusually warm for this time of year. The combination of high heat and strong winds can quickly turn small sparks into large fires because the vegetation is dry. Residents are advised to keep up with fire warnings and burn bans in their area. Exercise extreme caution when doing anything that could start a fire, like grilling outside, using machinery that makes sparks, or throwing away smoking materials.