Grass Fire Gets Dangerously Close To Hugo School, Homes

MINNEAPOLIS (WCCO) -- A grass fire northeast of the Twin Cities came dangerously close to houses and a school Thursday afternoon.

Blackened grass now sits just across the sidewalk outside of Oneka Elementary School in Hugo.

School staff and students were safe inside the building, and the children got an impromptu lesson in wildfires.

The flames also crept up near homes, but none were damaged.

The entire state of Minnesota was under a red flag warning Wednesday due to extreme fire danger, aided by dry and windy conditions.

Gov. Mark Dayton also authorized the Minnesota National Guard Wednesday to help fight wildfires in the state.