Rangeland Fire Danger Forecast
Issued by NWS Sioux Falls, SD
Issued by NWS Sioux Falls, SD
475 FNUS63 KFSD 090940 RFDFSD Rangeland Fire Danger Statement National Weather Service Sioux Falls SD 440 AM CDT Fri May 9 2025 .DISCUSSION... A stretch of very warm and very dry conditions begins today and continues into early next week. Afternoon temperatures will peak in the 80s to occasionally lower 90s today through Tuesday, as humidity levels fall as low as 15 to 25 percent. Winds will be on the lighter side today and Saturday, relatively speaking. Locations near and north of I-90 could see occasional gusts near 20-25 mph, which will result in locally elevated fire danger, especially in areas where cured or drying grasses are more prevalent. The greater concern comes early next week, especially Sunday and Monday, when stronger southerly winds are expected to develop over the region. Afternoon-early evening wind gusts of 30 to 40 mph could be common, strongest across southeast South Dakota and southwest Minnesota where a few gusts near 45 mph will be possible. These winds combined with the very low humidity levels will create near critical to critical fire weather conditions, and a Fire Weather Watch has been expanded to cover most of southeast South Dakota, southwest Minnesota and a few counties in northwest Iowa Sunday afternoon and evening. It should be noted that fire weather conditions may not improve dramatically overnight, with gusty winds and limited humidity recovery (maximum RH levels 45 to 60 percent in the Fire Weather Watch area) Sunday night. IAZ001-MNZ071-072-080-081-089-090-097-098-SDZ038>040-052>062- 064>067-091245- Lyon-Lincoln-Murray-Cottonwood-Nobles-Jackson-Pipestone-Rock- Beadle-Kingsbury-Brookings-Jerauld-Sanborn-Miner-Lake-Moody-Brule- Aurora-Davison-Hanson-McCook-Minnehaha-Douglas-Hutchinson-Turner- ...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 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. $$ IAZ002-003-012>014-020>022-031-032-NEZ013-014-SDZ050-063-068>071- 091245- Osceola-Dickinson-Sioux-O`Brien-Clay-Plymouth-Cherokee- Buena Vista-Woodbury-Ida-Dixon-Dakota-Gregory-Charles Mix- Bon Homme-Yankton-Union- ...LOW FIRE DANGER... The Grassland Fire Danger Index will reach the low category this afternoon. Favorable weather conditions or a high moisture content of grasses, and other dry organic material on the ground, indicate that the probability of a fast moving fire is low. Outdoor burning under these conditions can usually be with reasonable safety precautions, but should be monitored. OUTLOOK FOR SATURDAY AFTERNOON...The Grassland Fire Danger Index will reach the low category. The grassland fire danger product reflects fire danger for native grasses. It is not intended for cured agricultural crops, nor will it reflect conditions in road ditches which have been mowed. $$