Grassland Fire Danger Statement from NWS Sioux Falls

Check the text product beneath the maps for detailed Fire Danger information.

    

                        

663

FNUS63 KFSD 160949

RFDFSD



Rangeland Fire Danger Statement

National Weather Service Sioux Falls SD

349 AM CST Mon Feb 16 2026



.DISCUSSION...

Today will bring a reprieve from elevated to near-critical fire

weather conditions as light morning winds turn east to southeast

at only 10-20 MPH.



Tuesday and Wednesday will bring a return of High to Very High

grassland fire danger as temperatures remain well above normal

and winds increase over recent days. The primary question mark

comes in regard to the areal extent of near-critical conditions,

as we could see very light precipitation on Tuesday which could

linger in some areas north of I-90 into Wednesday. Additionally,

a surface front lifting into the Missouri River Valley Tuesday

afternoon will bring weaker wind gusts (20-25 MPH) to this area

with the lowest relative humidity (30-35 percent), whereas the

locations farther north with stronger winds (30-35 MPH) should

see much higher minimum humidity levels (40-60%). While these

conditions will produce elevated fire danger, the potential for

critical conditions is too low to hoist a Fire Weather Watch in

our forecast area.



Wednesday brings greater concerns, especially if precipitation

chances are confined to Highway 14 and points north. Much of the

forecast area could see westerly winds gusting 30-40 MPH, with

afternoon RH levels as low as 20-35 percent near and south of

the I-90 corridor. May eventually need fire weather headlines

during this period, but will monitor for another day or so to

ensure the northward precipitation trends are maintained.



SDZ038>040-050-052>067-161300-

Beadle-Kingsbury-Brookings-Gregory-Jerauld-Sanborn-Miner-Lake-

Moody-Brule-Aurora-Davison-Hanson-McCook-Minnehaha-Charles Mix-

Douglas-Hutchinson-Turner-Lincoln-



...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 TUESDAY 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.





$$



IAZ001>003-012>014-020>022-031-032-MNZ071-072-080-081-089-090-097-

098-NEZ013-014-SDZ068>071-161300-

Lyon-Osceola-Dickinson-Sioux-O`Brien-Clay-Plymouth-Cherokee-

Buena Vista-Woodbury-Ida-Lincoln-Murray-Cottonwood-Nobles-Jackson-

Pipestone-Rock-Dixon-Dakota-Bon Homme-Yankton-Union-



...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 TUESDAY AFTERNOON...The Grassland Fire Danger Index

will reach the high to 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.





$$