Rangeland Fire Danger Forecast
Issued by NWS Sioux Falls, SD
Issued by NWS Sioux Falls, SD
775 FNUS63 KFSD 120818 RFDFSD Rangeland Fire Danger Statement National Weather Service Sioux Falls SD 318 AM CDT Tue May 12 2026 .DISCUSSION... A combination of mild temperatures, wind gusts to 40 mph and afternoon relative humidity below 25 percent will create critical fire weather conditions for the area. While Wednesday will bring a reprieve from the strong winds, Thursday will see southerly winds return with gusts as high as 45 mph. This may lead to another day of critical to near critical fire weather. One offsetting factor for Thursday will be the potential for clouds and scattered showers and isolated thunderstorms. While very rare in this area, there is at least a small chance for some dry lightning given the dry low levels on Thursday. The weekend, particularly Saturday night into Sunday, will see the next better chance for showers and thunderstorms. MNZ081-121130- Cottonwood- ...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 WEDNESDAY AFTERNOON...The Grassland Fire Danger Index will reach the low 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. $$ IAZ001>003-012>014-020>022-031-032-MNZ071-072-080-089-090-097-098- NEZ013-014-SDZ038>040-050-052>071-121130- Lyon-Osceola-Dickinson-Sioux-O`Brien-Clay-Plymouth-Cherokee- Buena Vista-Woodbury-Ida-Lincoln-Murray-Nobles-Jackson-Pipestone- Rock-Dixon-Dakota-Beadle-Kingsbury-Brookings-Gregory-Jerauld- Sanborn-Miner-Lake-Moody-Brule-Aurora-Davison-Hanson-McCook- Minnehaha-Charles Mix-Douglas-Hutchinson-Turner-Bon Homme-Yankton- Union- ...HIGH FIRE DANGER... The Grassland Fire Danger Index will reach the high category this afternoon. Unfavorable weather conditions and low moisture content of grasses, and other dry organic material on the ground, indicate that there is a high potential for a fire to spread.. Outdoor burning should be restricted to early morning or evening hours, when wind speeds are usually lower and the relative humidity is higher. OUTLOOK FOR WEDNESDAY AFTERNOON...The Grassland Fire Danger Index will reach the low category. The grassland fire danger product reflects fire danger for native grasses. It is not intended for cured agricultural crops, nor will it reflect conditions in road ditches which have been mowed. $$