CRITICAL FIRE WEATHER CONDITIONS ACROSS PORTIONS OF CENTRAL AND NORTH-CENTRAL MINNESOTA TODAY. .Strong and gusty southerly winds are forecast today into this evening ahead of an approaching cold front, turning westerly and northwesterly after the passage of the front. A dry airmass remains in place over the region and with daytime heating, will drop relative humidity into the 20 to 30 percent range by late this morning. Lower dewpoint air will follow the cold front and keep RH values low behind the front. The combination of low RH, strong and gusty winds, and limited precipitation over the past several weeks, will create critical fire weather conditions for portions of central and north-central Minnesota today and this evening. RH values will improve this evening as the air near the ground begins to cool around sunset. The National Weather Service in Duluth has issued a Red Flag Warning for wind and low relative humidity, which is in effect from 10 AM this morning to 9 PM CDT this evening. The Fire Weather Watch is no longer in effect. * AFFECTED AREA. In Minnesota, North Cass, South Cass, Crow Wing, Northern Aitkin and South Aitkin. This includes the communities of Brainerd, Aitkin, McGregor, Pine River, Longville, Walker, and Leader. * WINDS. West 15 to 20 mph with gusts up to 35 mph. * RELATIVE HUMIDITY. As low as 20 percent. * IMPACTS. This combination of wind and minimum RH could lead to the rapid spread of fires.