Grassland Fire Danger Statement from NWS Sioux Falls

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

    

                        

706

FNUS63 KFSD 160857

RFDFSD



Rangeland Fire Danger Statement

National Weather Service Sioux Falls SD

357 AM CDT Thu Apr 16 2026



.DISCUSSION...



Red Flag Warning has been expanded toward the US Hwy 59 corridor in

southwestern MN and northwestern IA, now in effect from noon to 8 PM

for most of the area. Areas in the Red Flag Warning have the highest

confidence of minimum RH values at or below 25% and coincident

southwest wind gusts around or above 25 mph. Further east,

confidence is lower and duration of near to critical fire danger is

shorter. Additionally, this area to the east has also seen the most

precipitation over the last few days. Expansion east may be needed

later today if we are drier and/or breezier than current forecast

suggests. Extreme caution should be used today as any fire will

likely spread quickly due to these strong winds and very low

humidity values.



Winds tonight remain breezy with a shift through the overnight hours

from more southerly to northwesterly as a cold front swings through

the area. Northwesterly winds remain strong on Friday, with gusts

around 35-40 mph (strongest in south central SD). Cooler and falling

temperatures with early day precipitation chances should keep

minimum RH values above 35%. That said, elevated to possibly near

critical conditions are expected with the strong winds, which may be

enough to overcome higher RH in areas which have not received as

much precipitation or have seen as much green up over the last few

days.



Breezy northwest winds remain in place Saturday gusting again 30-40

mph with temperatures near seasonal norms. Much drier air moves into

the region though, which will plummet minimum RH values between 20

and 30% across the area. Again, elevated to near critical fire

conditions are expected.



People are urged to exercise extreme care with respect to outdoor

activities that could cause grass fires. Avoid equipment that can

cause sparks near dry grass or brush. Do not toss cigarettes on

the ground. Report new fires quickly to the nearest fire

department or law enforcement office.



SDZ050-161200-

Gregory-



...EXTREME FIRE DANGER...



The Grassland Fire Danger Index will reach the extreme category

this afternoon. Extreme weather conditions and very low

moisture content of grasses, and other dry organic material

on the ground, indicate that critical burning conditions exist.

All fires have the potential to become large and spread quickly,

becoming erratic with extreme behavioral characteristics.

No outdoor burning should take place.



OUTLOOK FOR FRIDAY AFTERNOON...The Grassland Fire Danger Index

will reach the very high 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.





$$



IAZ001-002-012-020-031-MNZ071-072-080-081-089-097-098-NEZ013-014-

SDZ038>040-052>071-161200-

Lyon-Osceola-Sioux-Plymouth-Woodbury-Lincoln-Murray-Cottonwood-

Nobles-Pipestone-Rock-Dixon-Dakota-Beadle-Kingsbury-Brookings-

Jerauld-Sanborn-Miner-Lake-Moody-Brule-Aurora-Davison-Hanson-

McCook-Minnehaha-Charles Mix-Douglas-Hutchinson-Turner-Bon Homme-

Yankton-Clay-Union-



...VERY HIGH FIRE DANGER...



The Grassland Fire Danger Index will reach the very high

category this afternoon. Very poor weather conditions and

very low moisture content of grasses, and other dry

organic material on the ground, indicate that dangerous

burning conditions exist. Fires will spread rapidly and

show erratic behavior. Outdoor burning is not recommended.



OUTLOOK FOR FRIDAY AFTERNOON...The Grassland Fire Danger Index

will reach the high 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.





$$



IAZ003-013-014-021-022-032-MNZ090-161200-

Dickinson-O`Brien-Clay-Cherokee-Buena Vista-Ida-Jackson-



...HIGH FIRE DANGER...



The Grassland Fire Danger Index will reach the high category

this afternoon. Unfavorable weather conditions and low

moisture content of grasses, and other dry organic material

on the ground, indicate that there is a high potential for

a fire to spread.. Outdoor burning should be restricted to

early morning or evening hours, when wind speeds are usually

lower and the relative humidity is higher.



OUTLOOK FOR FRIDAY AFTERNOON...The Grassland Fire Danger Index

will reach the high 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.





$$