Rangeland Fire Danger Forecast
Issued by NWS Sioux Falls, SD

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FNUS63 KFSD 031937
RFDFSD

Rangeland Fire Danger Statement
National Weather Service Sioux Falls SD
237 PM CDT Fri Oct 3 2025

.DISCUSSION...
Issued at 231 PM CDT Fri Oct 3 2025

Gusty southerly winds today and Saturday will bring some fire
weather concerns to the area as we head into the first weekend
of October. Today will see winds gusting 20-30 MPH in most areas
by this afternoon, with some higher gusts near 35 MPH west of
the James River Valley. Well above normal temperatures
approaching 90F this afternoon modest humidity levels (as low as
30-40%) will generally lead to Moderate to High Grassland Fire
Danger. However, fully cured crops and/or grasses could see
localized Very High fire danger conditions and caution is
advised when working in these drier areas.

Saturday brings greater concerns as the south-southwest winds
strengthen further. Late morning to early evening gusts of 35 to 45
MPH will be more common, with humidity levels falling as low as 25
to 35 percent (perhaps lower if mixing is even more efficient). This
will lead to more widespread High to Very High Grassland Fire Danger
in the greener grasses. However, the drier grasses and especially
crops would be susceptible to rapid fire spread (localized Red Flag
conditions possible), as marginal humidity levels could easily be
overcome by the stronger winds currently forecast. With this in
mind, farmers and others working outdoors will need to be mindful of
their equipment usage to avoid sparking a fire in the dry fuels.
Next week provides dry conditions and much cooler temperatures with
much less dangerous harvesting conditions.

People are urged to exercise extreme care with respect to outdoor
activities that could cause grass fires. Avoid equipment that can
cause sparks near dry grass or brush. Do not toss cigarettes on
the ground. Report new fires quickly to the nearest fire
department or law enforcement office.

IAZ001>003-012>014-022-SDZ050-055>071-032245-
Lyon-Osceola-Dickinson-Sioux-O`Brien-Clay-Buena Vista-Gregory-
Lake-Moody-Brule-Aurora-Davison-Hanson-McCook-Minnehaha-
Charles Mix-Douglas-Hutchinson-Turner-Lincoln-Bon Homme-Yankton-
Union-

OUTLOOK FOR SATURDAY 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.


$$

IAZ020-021-031-032-MNZ071-072-080-081-089-090-097-098-NEZ013-014-
SDZ038>040-052>054-032245-
Plymouth-Cherokee-Woodbury-Ida-Lincoln-Lyon-Murray-Cottonwood-
Nobles-Jackson-Pipestone-Rock-Dixon-Dakota-Beadle-Kingsbury-
Brookings-Jerauld-Sanborn-Miner-

OUTLOOK FOR SATURDAY 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.


$$