


Rangeland Fire Danger Forecast
Issued by NWS Sioux Falls, SD
Issued by NWS Sioux Falls, SD
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457 FNUS63 KFSD 092051 RFDFSD Rangeland Fire Danger Statement National Weather Service Sioux Falls SD 351 PM CDT Sun Mar 9 2025 .DISCUSSION... Issued at 311 AM CDT Sun Mar 9 2025 Taking a look across the area, starting to see some scattered dry spots across central SD and portions of southwestern MN where relative humidity values have approached the 25-35 percent range this afternoon. However, westerly to northwesterly winds speeds continue to be on the marginal side with gusts between 20-30 mph being recorded with the strongest wind speeds over our higher elevation areas. With this in mind, our current SPS looks to be in good shape with areas from Huron (Beadle) to Chamberlain (Brule) still looking like the better corridor for truly elevated conditions this afternoon. The SPS will run through about 5 PM before expiring. Looking into Monday, we`ll have to keep an eye on fire weather side of things again. Similar to today, an influx of warmer and drier air will lead to decreasing dew points and thus lower relative humidity values between 20-30 percent which is within critical thresholds. However, the question comes with the wind speeds. While mixing will gradually deepen during the afternoon hours, most soundings only show a narrow window from 3pm to 7pm where we`ll be able to get those stronger wind speeds (25-35 mph gusts) collocated with the driest RH values with the focus being along and north of I-90. With this in mind, the setup is decent enough to where we could see a few hours of Red Flag conditions in the afternoon hours. However, with lingering uncertainty regarding the wind speeds; decided to forgo any issuance of headlines on this shift. Instead, we`ll continue to message the elevated conditions north of I-90. Debris burning is the number one cause of wildfires...so please be careful with any use of fire. MNZ071-072-097-SDZ038-040-052-055-056-100000- Lincoln-Lyon-Pipestone-Beadle-Brookings-Jerauld-Lake-Moody- ...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 MONDAY 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. $$ MNZ080-SDZ039-053-054-062-100000- Murray-Kingsbury-Sanborn-Miner-Minnehaha- ...HIGH FIRE DANGER... The Grassland Fire Danger Index will reach the high category this afternoon. Unfavorable weather conditions and low moisture content of grasses, and other dry organic material on the ground, indicate that there is a high potential for a fire to spread.. Outdoor burning should be restricted to early morning or evening hours, when wind speeds are usually lower and the relative humidity is higher. OUTLOOK FOR MONDAY AFTERNOON...The Grassland Fire Danger Index will reach the very high category. The grassland fire danger product reflects fire danger for native grasses. It is not intended for cured agricultural crops, nor will it reflect conditions in road ditches which have been mowed. $$ MNZ081-098-SDZ057>061-100000- Cottonwood-Rock-Brule-Aurora-Davison-Hanson-McCook- ...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 MONDAY 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. $$ IAZ001>003-012>014-020>022-031-032-MNZ089-090-NEZ013-014-SDZ050- 063>071-100000- Lyon-Osceola-Dickinson-Sioux-O`Brien-Clay-Plymouth-Cherokee- Buena Vista-Woodbury-Ida-Nobles-Jackson-Dixon-Dakota-Gregory- Charles Mix-Douglas-Hutchinson-Turner-Lincoln-Bon Homme-Yankton- Union- ...LOW FIRE DANGER... The Grassland Fire Danger Index will reach the low category this afternoon. Favorable weather conditions or a high moisture content of grasses, and other dry organic material on the ground, indicate that the probability of a fast moving fire is low. Outdoor burning under these conditions can usually be with reasonable safety precautions, but should be monitored. OUTLOOK FOR MONDAY AFTERNOON...The Grassland Fire Danger Index will reach the moderate category. The grassland fire danger product reflects fire danger for native grasses. It is not intended for cured agricultural crops, nor will it reflect conditions in road ditches which have been mowed. $$