Crews Extinguish Brush Fire in Target Parking Lot

Firefighters from four fire departments put out a brush fire that broke out Monday afternoon in the parking lot of the in .

Several mulched islands were smoking and were being tended to by firefighters from , , Palmer Municipal Fire Department and .

At the edge of the parking lot, a row of trees was hosed down.

No vehicles were affected and all businesses remained open. No injuries were reported.

The smoke had cleared by 4 p.m., but crews continued to hose down the islands to make sure no hot spots were left.

The National Weather Service, in a special weather statement, said gusty winds would increase the risk of wildfires across the region this evening.

Wind gusts -- up to 40 mph -- combined with low relative humidity and drying fine fuels, the weather service adds, increases the wildfire risk.