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NWS Forecasts Critical Fire Weather in Northern Plains, Upper Midwest, Southern High Plains

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The US National Weather Service said the Northern Plains, Upper Midwest, and southern High Plains are expected to experience critical fire weather conditions on Friday, due to the presence of gusty winds and low humidity.

Meanwhile, parts of the central Plains are likely to encounter severe thunderstorms risks, with potential for large to very large hail, wind damage and tornadoes until Saturday.

The NWS early Friday issued a red flag warning for almost the entirety of North Dakota barring Crosby, Williston, Rugby, Minot, and Bottineau. Xcel Energy (XEL), MDU Resources (MDU) unit Montana-Dakota Utilities and Otter Tail's (OTTR) Otter Tail Power are among the major electric service providers in the state.

Most of Minnesota was also covered under a warning for fire weather conditions, except for Minneapolis, St. Paul, Red Wing, Rochester, Mankato, Worthington, Albert Lea, Pipestone, and Windom. The main service providers in Minnesota are Otter Tail Power, Allette (ALE) subsidiary Minnesota Power, Xcel Energy and Alliant Energy (LNT).

In South Dakota, a similar warning was issued for Mobridge, Aberdeen, Sisseton, Milbank, Redfield, Miller, Pierre, Huron, and Brookings. Xcel Energy, Northwestern Energy (NWE), Black Hills (BKH) subsidiary Black Hills Energy, Montana-Dakota Utilities and Otter Tail Power are among the major electric service providers in the state.

Nebraska's Harrison, Chadron, Alliance, Scottsbluff, Bridgeport, Harrisburg, Kimball, Sidney were also placed under the red flag warning watch. Nebraska falls under the service area of regional transmission organization Southwest Power Pool, with Midcontinent ISO also serving some areas.

Also covered under a red flag warning watch were Oklahoma's Gage, Woodward, Elk City, Clinton, Hobart and Altus. OGE Energy (OGE) unit Oklahoma Gas & Electric and American Electric Power subsidiary Public Service Co. of Oklahoma are the major electric utility service providers in the state.

In Texas, a red flag warning was issued for Canadian, Childress, Vernon, Guthrie, Lubbock, Post, Aspermont, Perryton, Dumas, Dalhart, Amarillo, Hereford, Clarendon, Dimmitt, Plainview, Littlefield, Matador, and Morton. These places are primarily served by Xcel Enery and American Electric Power's (AEP) Texas unit.

A similar warning was raised for Colorado's Craig, Rangely, Meeker, Aspen, Buena Vista, Lake City, and Gunnison, primarily served by Xcel Energy and Black Hills Energy.

In Utah, which primarily falls under the service area of PacifiCorp's Rocky Mountain Power, Vernal and parts of Manila, and Moab were placed under a red flag warning watch.

A red flag warning was also issued for Wisconsin's Hayward, Rice Lake and Park Falls; and Ironwood, Iron Mountain and Houghton in Michigan.

The NWS issued flood warnings for certain pockets of Washington, Louisiana, and Mississippi; and a fire warning for areas near Liberal in Kansas.

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