Wildfires have exploded in size across parts of northeastern Minnesota north of Lake Superior, destroying at least 40 homes and buildings, as unseasonably high temperatures and low humidity will continue to drive dangerous fire weather on Tuesday.

The red flag warning will be in place in northeastern Minnesota from noon to 9 p.m. due to "critical fire weather conditions," the National Weather Service said. The air quality alert will be in place for the same time in western and central Minnesota,

After 77 of 87 Minnesota counties were in a red flag warning on Sunday, 80 of 87 counties are under a red flag warning on Monday. A red flag warning means fire weather conditions are in place, and any fire that stars could spread rapidly and erupt into an out-of-control blaze.