Grassland Fire Danger Statement from NWS Sioux Falls

Grassland Fire Danger Statement

Statewide Grassland Fire Danger maps are also available for the states of South Dakota and Iowa.
Please take note of the legend beneath the maps for the color scheme.

Note: The Grassland Fire Danger statement will be issued daily from April 1st to November 15th, or as conditions warrant during the Spring and late Autumn. It will also be issued during the winter months if the index reaches High, Very High or Extreme. Please check the date on the map and the text product below to ensure you are looking at a current product.

Check the text product beneath the maps for detailed Fire Danger information.

Key for Fire Danger Maps:

	Low - Green
	Moderate - Blue
	High - Yellow

	Very High - Orange
	Extreme - Red

    
                        

890

FNUS63 KFSD 152244

RFDFSD



Rangeland Fire Danger Statement

National Weather Service Sioux Falls SD

444 PM CST Sun Feb 15 2026



.DISCUSSION...

Issued at 157 PM CST Sun Feb 15 2026



Temperatures have warmed to the 50s and 60s so far today. With dew

points in in the 20s and 30s, humidity levels have fallen to near

critical to critical levels across the vast majority of the area.

Winds remain generally light but have seen gusts up to 20-30 mph so

far west of the James River. This is the same area where a Red Flag

Warning is in effect. The Warming remains in effect until 6 pm this

evening. Think the Warning remains valid as it currently but will

continue to monitor conditions for the rest of the afternoon hours.

Could see a small expansion to the north and east if winds increase

in this area.



Light winds on Monday will preclude any fire danger. However, winds

pick up out of the southeast on Tuesday. Gusts up to 20-35 mph will

accompany the southeast winds. At the same time, temperatures look

to be very warm with highs in the upper 50s, 60s, and 70s. Humidity

values look to fall to near critical levels, down to around 30% at

this time. While elevated fire danger is likely for Tuesday, stratus

and the locations of a warm front could result in cooler high

temperatures depending on how the variables turn out. Too early to

make any meaningful changes to the forecast but something to keep an

eye on going forward.



Elevated fire danger could persist through Wednesday as high

temperatures remain above average in the 40s and 50s.

West/northwesterly winds will become breezy with gusts potentially

gusting up to 40 mph. Humidity will fall to near critical levels

along the Missouri River Valley keeping high to very high fire

danger in place.



Make sure to limit any activity that could create a spark!





NEZ013-SDZ050-052-053-055-057>060-063>066-068>070-160145-

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Charles Mix-Douglas-Hutchinson-Turner-Bon Homme-Yankton-Clay-



OUTLOOK FOR WASHINGTONS BIRTHDAY AFTERNOON...The Grassland Fire

Danger Index will reach the moderate category.



The grassland fire danger product reflects fire danger for native

grasses. It is not intended for cured agricultural crops, nor

will it reflect conditions in road ditches which have been mowed.



$$



IAZ001>003-012>014-020>022-031-032-MNZ071-072-080-081-089-090-097-

098-NEZ014-SDZ038>040-054-056-061-062-067-071-160145-

Lyon-Osceola-Dickinson-Sioux-O`Brien-Clay-Plymouth-Cherokee-

Buena Vista-Woodbury-Ida-Lincoln-Murray-Cottonwood-Nobles-Jackson-

Pipestone-Rock-Dakota-Beadle-Kingsbury-Brookings-Miner-Moody-

McCook-Minnehaha-Union-



OUTLOOK FOR WASHINGTONS BIRTHDAY AFTERNOON...The Grassland Fire

Danger Index will reach the moderate category.



The grassland fire danger product reflects fire danger for native

grasses. It is not intended for cured agricultural crops, nor

will it reflect conditions in road ditches which have been mowed.



$$