Rangeland Fire Danger Forecast
Issued by NWS Sioux Falls, SD
Issued by NWS Sioux Falls, SD
218 FNUS63 KFSD 140859 RFDFSD Rangeland Fire Danger Statement National Weather Service Sioux Falls SD 259 AM CST Sat Feb 14 2026 .DISCUSSION... A very dry pattern, snow-free ground which has begun to thaw through the upper few inches, and deep south-southwest flow will promote efficient mixing on Sunday. This should yield a very warm day with temperatures/dew points/gusts favoring the warmer/drier/breezier side of ensemble guidance. This should lead to elevated to near critical fire weather conditions, especially toward south-central South Dakota where slightly stronger southwest winds are favored. With a potential for afternoon relative humidity as low as 20 percent, along with southwest winds gusting near to above 25 MPH, have issued a Fire Weather Watch for Gregory County SD from Noon-6 PM CST Sunday. Elsewhere across the forecast area, wind gusts and RH reaching critical levels is more uncertain, though values do look close as far east as I-29. Will continue to monitor the forecast trends for possible expansion of the watch. NEZ013-SDZ050-063-064-066-069-070-141200- Dixon-Gregory-Charles Mix-Douglas-Turner-Yankton-Clay- ...MODERATE FIRE DANGER... The Grassland Fire Danger Index will reach the moderate category this afternoon. Marginal weather conditions or lowering moisture content of grasses, and other dry organic material on the ground, indicate that there is some potential for a fire to spread. Any outdoor burning should be closely monitored. OUTLOOK FOR SUNDAY 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. $$ IAZ001>003-012>014-020>022-031-032-MNZ071-072-080-081-089-090-097- 098-NEZ014-SDZ038>040-052>062-065-067-068-071-141200- Lyon-Osceola-Dickinson-Sioux-O`Brien-Clay-Plymouth-Cherokee- Buena Vista-Woodbury-Ida-Lincoln-Murray-Cottonwood-Nobles-Jackson- Pipestone-Rock-Dakota-Beadle-Kingsbury-Brookings-Jerauld-Sanborn- Miner-Lake-Moody-Brule-Aurora-Davison-Hanson-McCook-Minnehaha- Hutchinson-Bon Homme-Union- ...MODERATE FIRE DANGER... The Grassland Fire Danger Index will reach the moderate category this afternoon. Marginal weather conditions or lowering moisture content of grasses, and other dry organic material on the ground, indicate that there is some potential for a fire to spread. Any outdoor burning should be closely monitored. OUTLOOK FOR SUNDAY AFTERNOON...The Grassland Fire Danger Index will reach the high category. The grassland fire danger product reflects fire danger for native grasses. It is not intended for cured agricultural crops, nor will it reflect conditions in road ditches which have been mowed. $$