Rangeland Fire Danger Forecast
Issued by NWS Sioux Falls, SD
Issued by NWS Sioux Falls, SD
332 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. $$ IAZ020-021-031-032-MNZ071-072-080-081-089-090-097-098-NEZ013-014- SDZ038>040-052>054-032245- Plymouth-Cherokee-Woodbury-Ida-Lincoln-Lyon-Murray-Cottonwood- Nobles-Jackson-Pipestone-Rock-Dixon-Dakota-Beadle-Kingsbury- Brookings-Jerauld-Sanborn-Miner- OUTLOOK FOR SATURDAY AFTERNOON...The Grassland Fire Danger Index will reach the high category. The grassland fire danger product reflects fire danger for native grasses. It is not intended for cured agricultural crops, nor will it reflect conditions in road ditches which have been mowed. $$