Rangeland Fire Danger Forecast
Issued by NWS Sioux Falls, SD
Issued by NWS Sioux Falls, SD
578 FNUS63 KFSD 112138 RFDFSD Rangeland Fire Danger Statement National Weather Service Sioux Falls SD 438 PM CDT Mon May 11 2026 .DISCUSSION... Issued at 336 PM CDT Mon May 11 2026 A Red Flag Warning is in effect from Tuesday at Noon until 9 pm CDT for southeastern South Dakota, northeastern Nebraska, southwestern Minnesota, and northwestern Iowa. A very dry air mass settles over the region behind an early morning cold front. Relative humidity values are expected to fall to less than 25% with most of the region seeing values as low as 19-22%. In addition, northwesterly winds will increase behind the front. Sustained winds of 20-30 mph will be widespread along with gusts of 35-40 mph. The combination of strong winds, very low relative humidity, and warm highs in the 70s is what prompted the Red Flag warning. Wednesday conditions remain very dry and warm with highs in the mid 70s to low 80s. However, winds will be light and variable, thus negating the need for a fire headline. However, please continue to use caution to avoid fire starts. Thursday conditions will again be favorable for fire with southerly sustained winds at 25-30 mph and gusts 35-40 mph. A few isolated gusts of 45+ mph are also possible. Additional fire headlines may be necessary. Please check back through the week for updates. 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>014-020>022-031-032-MNZ071-072-080-081-089-090-097- 098-NEZ014-SDZ039-052>054-057>071-120045- Lyon-Osceola-Dickinson-Sioux-O`Brien-Clay-Plymouth-Cherokee- Buena Vista-Woodbury-Ida-Lincoln-Murray-Cottonwood-Nobles-Jackson- Pipestone-Rock-Dakota-Kingsbury-Jerauld-Sanborn-Miner-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 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. $$ NEZ013-SDZ038-040-050-055-056-120045- Dixon-Beadle-Brookings-Gregory-Lake-Moody- ...HIGH FIRE DANGER... The Grassland Fire Danger Index will reach the high category this afternoon. Unfavorable weather conditions and low moisture content of grasses, and other dry organic material on the ground, indicate that there is a high potential for a fire to spread.. Outdoor burning should be restricted to early morning or evening hours, when wind speeds are usually lower and the relative humidity is higher. OUTLOOK FOR TUESDAY AFTERNOON...The Grassland Fire Danger Index will reach the high category. The grassland fire danger product reflects fire danger for native grasses. It is not intended for cured agricultural crops, nor will it reflect conditions in road ditches which have been mowed. $$