062
FNUS63 KFSD 121021
RFDFSD

Rangeland Fire Danger Statement
National Weather Service Sioux Falls SD
521 AM CDT Wed Mar 12 2025

.DISCUSSION...
Variable wind directions are expected today, with speeds largely
remaining below 15 mph. Temperatures rebound back into the 60s
for highs with minimum humidity levels averaging 30-35 percent.
The lighter winds will allow grassland fire danger to remain in
the Moderate category.

Much warmer air returns to the region by Thursday, with strong
mixing in a very dry air mass resulting in near-critical to
critical fire weather conditions in areas west of I-29 Thursday
afternoon. As temperatures climb into the upper 70s, relative
humidity will fall to critical levels, as low as 15 to 25 percent,
as southerly winds gusting near 30 mph. A Fire Weather Watch has
been issued from 1 PM to 8 PM Thursday, roughly along and west of
a line from Iroquois to Salem to Vermillion SD and Ponca NE. It
should be noted that while humidity levels will be higher farther
east, similar to slightly stronger winds will still result in
Very High grassland fire danger.

Friday will be another warm and breezy day, but humidity levels
will be on the increase ahead of an approaching storm system.
That said, we are still looking at elevated (High to Very High)
fire danger across the region Friday.

Please be careful with fire...grass fires can move very quickly.

IAZ001>003-012>014-020>022-031-032-MNZ071-072-080-081-089-090-097-
098-NEZ013-014-SDZ038>040-050-052>071-121330-
Lyon-Osceola-Dickinson-Sioux-O`Brien-Clay-Plymouth-Cherokee-
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.


$$