Rangeland Fire Danger Forecast
Issued by NWS Sioux Falls, SD
Issued by NWS Sioux Falls, SD
052 FNUS63 KFSD 181217 RFDFSD Rangeland Fire Danger Statement National Weather Service Sioux Falls SD 617 AM CST Wed Feb 18 2026 .DISCUSSION... Strong west winds gusting 40 to 55 mph early this morning will ease very slowly through the day, with gusts of 30 to 45 mph persisting well into the afternoon. Very dry air expanding across the region will drop afternoon relative humidity levels as low as 15 percent toward the Highway 20 corridor to 25 to 30 percent along I-90. This combination of strong winds and very dry air will produce critical fire weather conditions by late this morning along and south of I-90, and a Red Flag Warning remains in effect from 10 AM through 6 PM CST. Much more seasonal temperatures settle into the region Thursday, accompanied by a chance for accumulating snow in some areas. This should limit the fire danger from Thursday through at least early next week. Postpone burning due to the very high or extreme fire danger. IAZ001>003-012>014-020>022-031-032-MNZ089-090-098-NEZ013-014- SDZ059-062-064>067-069>071-181530- Lyon-Osceola-Dickinson-Sioux-O`Brien-Clay-Plymouth-Cherokee- Buena Vista-Woodbury-Ida-Nobles-Jackson-Rock-Dixon-Dakota-Davison- Minnehaha-Douglas-Hutchinson-Turner-Lincoln-Yankton-Union- ...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 low 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. $$ MNZ071-072-080-081-097-SDZ038>040-050-052>058-060-061-063-068- 181530- Lincoln-Lyon-Murray-Cottonwood-Pipestone-Beadle-Kingsbury- Brookings-Gregory-Jerauld-Sanborn-Miner-Lake-Moody-Brule-Aurora- Hanson-McCook-Charles Mix-Bon Homme- ...VERY HIGH FIRE DANGER... The Grassland Fire Danger Index will reach the very high category this afternoon. Very poor weather conditions and very low moisture content of grasses, and other dry organic material on the ground, indicate that dangerous burning conditions exist. Fires will spread rapidly and show erratic behavior. Outdoor burning is not recommended. OUTLOOK FOR THURSDAY AFTERNOON...The Grassland Fire Danger Index will reach the moderate category. The grassland fire danger product reflects fire danger for native grasses. It is not intended for cured agricultural crops, nor will it reflect conditions in road ditches which have been mowed. $$