Rangeland Fire Danger Forecast
Issued by NWS Rapid City, SD

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FNUS63 KUNR 170916
RFDUNR

Rangeland Fire Danger Statement
National Weather Service Rapid City SD
316 AM MDT Thu Sep 17 2026

SDZ001-012-013-072-078-180100-
Harding-Butte-Northern Meade Co Plains-Sturgis/Piedmont Foothills-
Southern Perkins-
Including the cities of Buffalo, Camp Crook, Ladner, Ludlow,
Redig, Reva, Belle Fourche, Newell, Vale, Fruitdale,
Belle Fourche Reservoir, Hoover, Faith, Mud Butte, Red Owl,
Howes, Opal, Sturgis, Piedmont, Black Hawk, Summerset, Tilford,
Usta, Bison, Sorum, and Zeona
316 AM MDT Thu Sep 17 2026

...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 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.

The outlook for Friday afternoon, The grassland fire danger index
will reach the moderate category to high category.


$$

SDZ002-014-025-031-032-043-073-077-180100-
Northern Perkins-Ziebach-Northern Foothills-Pennington Co Plains-
Haakon-Northern Jackson-Southern Meade Co Plains-Southern Jackson-
Including the cities of Lemmon, Shadehill, Meadow, Prairie City,
Dupree, Glad Valley, Cherry Creek, South Eagle Butte, Spearfish,
Whitewood, Saint Onge, Box Elder, Caputa, New Underwood, Wasta,
Wall, Scenic, Quinn, Philip, Midland, Milesville, Kadoka,
Cottonwood, Interior, Belvidere, Ellsworth AFB, Union Center,
Elm Springs, Enning, White Owl, Long Valley, Wanblee,
and Potato Creek
316 AM MDT Thu Sep 17 2026

...MODERATE FIRE DANGER...

The grassland fire danger index will reach the moderate category
this afternoon. Marginal weather conditions or a 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.

The outlook for Friday afternoon, The grassland fire danger index
will reach the low category to moderate category.


$$

SDZ026-027-030-041-042-044-046-047-049-074>076-180100-
Rapid City-Southern Foothills-Custer Co Plains-Western Fall River-
Northern Oglala Lakota-Bennett-Mellette-Todd-Tripp-
Hermosa Foothills-Eastern Fall River-Southern Oglala Lakota-
Including the cities of Rapid City, Hot Springs,
Angostura Reservoir, Folsom, Ardmore, Edgemont, Provo, Rumford,
Kyle, Rockyford, Sharps Corner, Martin, Allen, Tuthill,
Harrington, White River, Wood, Norris, Cedar Butte, Mission,
Rosebud, Saint Francis, Parmelee, Winner, Colome, Witten, Hamill,
Ideal, Hermosa, Buffalo Gap, Fairburn, Oral, Oelrichs, Smithwick,
Pine Ridge, Oglala, Wounded Knee, Porcupine, Manderson,
and Batesland
316 AM MDT Thu Sep 17 2026 /416 AM CDT Thu Sep 17 2026/

...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 performed
with reasonable safety precautions, but should be monitored.

The outlook for Friday afternoon, The grassland fire danger index
will reach the low category to moderate category.


$$