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

    
                        

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FNUS63 KFSD 220920

RFDFSD



Rangeland Fire Danger Statement

National Weather Service Sioux Falls SD

420 AM CDT Wed Apr 22 2026



.DISCUSSION...

Issued at 415 AM CDT Wed Apr 22 2026



We`re still on track for a dangerous fire weather set up today.

Starting this morning, a tightening SPG will gradually increase

southeasterly winds speeds as mixing resumes. By early afternoon,

mixing will deepening helping warmer and drier air make its way

to surface. This will lead to warmer temperatures and drier dew

point resulting in critical relative humidity values in the 15-

30 percent range with the driest conditions west of the James

River Valley. Strong southerly winds will also develop by late

afternoon with gusts between 35-45 mph expected. As this becomes

collocated with the driest RH values, the conditions will

become favorable for rapid fire spread especially west of I-29.

As a result, a Red Flag Warning remains in effect from 12pm to

8pm for most areas. Lastly, with the breezier conditions

expected to persist overnight; could see the fire concerns hang

around for a bit longer this evening as RH values are slow to

recover west of the James River Valley.



Make sure to avoid any outdoor burning today as conditions could

help a fire quickly spread out of control!





SDZ038-050-052-053-057>059-063-064-221230-

Beadle-Gregory-Jerauld-Sanborn-Brule-Aurora-Davison-Charles Mix-

Douglas-



...EXTREME FIRE DANGER...



The Grassland Fire Danger Index will reach the extreme category

this afternoon. Extreme weather conditions and very low

moisture content of grasses, and other dry organic material

on the ground, indicate that critical burning conditions exist.

All fires have the potential to become large and spread quickly,

becoming erratic with extreme behavioral characteristics.

No outdoor burning should take place.



OUTLOOK FOR THURSDAY 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>003-012-013-020-MNZ071-072-080-081-089-090-097-098-NEZ013-

014-SDZ039-040-054>056-060>062-065>071-221230-

Lyon-Osceola-Dickinson-Sioux-O`Brien-Plymouth-Lincoln-Murray-

Cottonwood-Nobles-Jackson-Pipestone-Rock-Dixon-Dakota-Kingsbury-

Brookings-Miner-Lake-Moody-Hanson-McCook-Minnehaha-Hutchinson-

Turner-Bon Homme-Yankton-Clay-Union-



...VERY HIGH FIRE DANGER...



The Grassland Fire Danger Index will reach the very high

category this afternoon. Very poor weather conditions and

very low moisture content of grasses, and other dry

organic material on the ground, indicate that dangerous

burning conditions exist. Fires will spread rapidly and

show erratic behavior. Outdoor burning is not recommended.



OUTLOOK FOR THURSDAY 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.





$$



IAZ014-021-022-031-032-221230-

Clay-Cherokee-Buena Vista-Woodbury-Ida-



...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 THURSDAY 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.





$$