Rangeland Fire Danger Forecast
Issued by NWS Sioux Falls, SD
Issued by NWS Sioux Falls, SD
082 FNUS63 KFSD 140926 RFDFSD Rangeland Fire Danger Statement National Weather Service Sioux Falls SD 326 AM CST Fri Nov 14 2025 .DISCUSSION... Unseasonably warm, dry and breezy conditions are expected this afternoon, ahead of a cool front which will drop southeast across the region tonight. Most areas will see southwest winds gusting to 20-25 MPH this afternoon. However, higher elevations of southwest MN and south central SD (specifically Gregory County) will see occasional gusts to around 30 MPH. Decent mixing of dry low level air will lead to high temperatures in the 70s most areas, with minimum relative humidity (RH) levels this afternoon ranging from near 20% in south-central South Dakota, to 30-40% east of I-29. Though conditions may be somewhat marginal, the stronger winds in Gregory County will overlap with critical RH levels around 20% for a few hours during the late morning-afternoon. While critical RH values less than 25% may extend as far east as the James River Valley, wind speeds in these areas are currently expected to remain below critical levels and thus will limit a Red Flag Warning to Gregory County for now. Winds farther east will be closely monitored, and the warning could be extended if stronger winds develop this afternoon. The critical fire weather conditions look to be short-lived, as cooler temperatures and higher RH values are expected this weekend through much of the upcoming week. Debris burning is the number one cause of wildfires...so please be careful with any use of fire. SDZ050-141230- Gregory- ...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 SATURDAY 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. $$ IAZ001>003-012>014-020>022-031-032-MNZ071-072-080-081-089-090-097- 098-NEZ013-014-SDZ038>040-052>071-141230- Lyon-Osceola-Dickinson-Sioux-O`Brien-Clay-Plymouth-Cherokee- Buena Vista-Woodbury-Ida-Lincoln-Murray-Cottonwood-Nobles-Jackson- Pipestone-Rock-Dixon-Dakota-Beadle-Kingsbury-Brookings-Jerauld- Sanborn-Miner-Lake-Moody-Brule-Aurora-Davison-Hanson-McCook- Minnehaha-Charles Mix-Douglas-Hutchinson-Turner-Bon Homme-Yankton- Union- ...HIGH FIRE DANGER... The Grassland Fire Danger Index will reach the high category this afternoon. Unfavorable weather conditions and low moisture content of grasses, and other dry organic material on the ground, indicate that there is a high potential for a fire to spread.. Outdoor burning should be restricted to early morning or evening hours, when wind speeds are usually lower and the relative humidity is higher. OUTLOOK FOR SATURDAY AFTERNOON...The Grassland Fire Danger Index will reach the moderate to high category. The grassland fire danger product reflects fire danger for native grasses. It is not intended for cured agricultural crops, nor will it reflect conditions in road ditches which have been mowed. $$