Grassland Fire Danger Statement from NWS Sioux Falls

Grassland Fire Danger Statement

Statewide Grassland Fire Danger maps are also available for the states of South Dakota and Iowa.
Please take note of the legend beneath the maps for the color scheme.

Note: The Grassland Fire Danger statement will be issued daily from April 1st to November 15th, or as conditions warrant during the Spring and late Autumn. It will also be issued during the winter months if the index reaches High, Very High or Extreme. Please check the date on the map and the text product below to ensure you are looking at a current product.

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

Key for Fire Danger Maps:

	Low - Green
	Moderate - Blue
	High - Yellow

	Very High - Orange
	Extreme - Red

    
                        

873

FNUS63 KFSD 150857

RFDFSD



Rangeland Fire Danger Statement

National Weather Service Sioux Falls SD

357 AM CDT Wed Apr 15 2026



.DISCUSSION...



Although humidity values today fall to below 25% west of the James

River, light southerly winds preclude any widespread concerns.

Minimum RH values increase further east with light winds and

scattered shower/storm chances, widespread elevated fire danger is

not expected today.



Attention turns to Thursday with temperatures climbing into the 80s.

A dry day is expected, and much drier air moves into the region

leading to minimum humidity values as low as 15% and only as high as

around 30%. These factors along with strong southwesterly winds

gusting to around 30 mph will lead to near critical to critical fire

conditions as fuels remain dry. A Fire Weather Watch has been issued

along and west of I-29 from noon to 8 PM, where the strongest winds

and lowest humidity coincide.



Confidence is low in the potential for near critical fire conditions

Friday due to a cold front moving through Thursday into Friday. This

timing impacts temperatures and there may be some showers with some

uncertainty in the precipitation type. Northwesterly winds on Friday

will be stronger than Thursday, gusting to around 40 mph. However,

RH values are expected to be near or exceed 35%, which with cooler

temperatures and precipitation, may temper widespread concerns.

Breezy and cooler weather Saturday may lead to elevated concerns,

but confidence is low.





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098-NEZ013-014-SDZ038>040-050-052>071-151200-

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

Pipestone-Rock-Dixon-Dakota-Beadle-Kingsbury-Brookings-Gregory-

Jerauld-Sanborn-Miner-Lake-Moody-Brule-Aurora-Davison-Hanson-

McCook-Minnehaha-Charles Mix-Douglas-Hutchinson-Turner-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 THURSDAY 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.





$$