Rangeland Fire Danger Forecast
Issued by NWS Aberdeen, SD
Issued by NWS Aberdeen, SD
440 FNUS63 KABR 231931 RFDABR Rangeland Fire Danger Statement National Weather Service Aberdeen SD 231 PM CDT Fri Oct 23 2026 .DISCUSSION... Strong southerly winds gusting up to 30 to 40 miles per hour are in place this afternoon, with the strongest gusts located over parts of northeastern South Dakota. Gusts over that area are expected to persist through the evening and into tonight. Localized strong gusts upwards of 40 miles per hour may be possible due to downsloping impacts on the eastern side of the Sisseton Hills. Due to the combination of these winds and the abnormal heat, widespread High Grassland Fire Danger is in effect today, with some areas of Very High Grassland Fire Danger where winds are the strongest. Overnight tonight, a cold front will move across the forecast area. Behind the front, winds will turn northwesterly and increase over central and north central South Dakota. Gusts as high as 50 miles per hour will be possible behind the front, and a Wind Advisory is in place for that area from late tonight through Saturday morning. Since the strongest wind gusts are anticipated to occur during the early morning and decrease through the day, they will not occur at the same time as the lowest afternoon humidity. This limits much of the forecast area to Moderate Grassland Fire Danger, although some stray areas of High Grassland Fire Danger over central and north central South Dakota will be possible. Humidity while the Wind Advisory is in effect will bottom out at 40-50 percent. SDZ018-019-022-240945- Spink-Clark-Hamlin- Including the cities of Redfield, Clark, and Hayti 231 PM CDT Fri Oct 23 2026 ...VERY HIGH FIRE DANGER... 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. The outlook for Saturday afternoon...The grassland fire danger index will reach the moderate category. $$ MNZ039-046-SDZ003>011-015>017-020-021-023-033>037-045-048-051-240945- Traverse-Big Stone-Corson-Campbell-McPherson-Brown-Marshall-Roberts- Walworth-Edmunds-Day-Dewey-Potter-Faulk-Codington-Grant-Deuel- Stanley-Sully-Hughes-Hyde-Hand-Jones-Lyman-Buffalo- Including the cities of Wheaton, Ortonville, McIntosh, Herreid, Eureka, Aberdeen, Britton, Sisseton, Mobridge, Ipswich, Webster, Isabel, Gettysburg, Faulkton, Watertown, Milbank, Clear Lake, Fort Pierre, Onida, Pierre, Highmore, Miller, Murdo, Kennebec, and Fort Thompson 231 PM CDT Fri Oct 23 2026 /131 PM MDT Fri Oct 23 2026/ ...HIGH FIRE DANGER... Unfavorable weather conditions and low moisture content of grasses, and other dry organic material on the ground, indicate that there is high potential for a fire to spread. Outdoor burning should be restricted to early morning or evening hours when wind speeds are usually lower and the relative humidity is higher. The outlook for Saturday afternoon...The grassland fire danger index will reach the low to high category. $$