FNUS63 KFSD 160857 RFDFSD Rangeland Fire Danger Statement National Weather Service Sioux Falls SD 357 AM CDT Thu Apr 16 2026 .DISCUSSION... Red Flag Warning has been expanded toward the US Hwy 59 corridor in southwestern MN and northwestern IA, now in effect from noon to 8 PM for most of the area. Areas in the Red Flag Warning have the highest confidence of minimum RH values at or below 25% and coincident southwest wind gusts around or above 25 mph. Further east, confidence is lower and duration of near to critical fire danger is shorter. Additionally, this area to the east has also seen the most precipitation over the last few days. Expansion east may be needed later today if we are drier and/or breezier than current forecast suggests. Extreme caution should be used today as any fire will likely spread quickly due to these strong winds and very low humidity values. Winds tonight remain breezy with a shift through the overnight hours from more southerly to northwesterly as a cold front swings through the area. Northwesterly winds remain strong on Friday, with gusts around 35-40 mph (strongest in south central SD). Cooler and falling temperatures with early day precipitation chances should keep minimum RH values above 35%. That said, elevated to possibly near critical conditions are expected with the strong winds, which may be enough to overcome higher RH in areas which have not received as much precipitation or have seen as much green up over the last few days. Breezy northwest winds remain in place Saturday gusting again 30-40 mph with temperatures near seasonal norms. Much drier air moves into the region though, which will plummet minimum RH values between 20 and 30% across the area. Again, elevated to near critical fire conditions are expected. 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. SDZ050-161200- Gregory- ...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 FRIDAY 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. $$ IAZ001-002-012-020-031-MNZ071-072-080-081-089-097-098-NEZ013-014- SDZ038>040-052>071-161200- Lyon-Osceola-Sioux-Plymouth-Woodbury-Lincoln-Murray-Cottonwood- Nobles-Pipestone-Rock-Dixon-Dakota-Beadle-Kingsbury-Brookings- Jerauld-Sanborn-Miner-Lake-Moody-Brule-Aurora-Davison-Hanson- McCook-Minnehaha-Charles Mix-Douglas-Hutchinson-Turner-Bon Homme- Yankton-Clay-Union- ...VERY HIGH FIRE DANGER... The Grassland Fire Danger Index will reach the very high category this afternoon. Very poor weather conditions and very low moisture content of grasses, and other dry organic material on the ground, indicate that dangerous burning conditions exist. Fires will spread rapidly and show erratic behavior. Outdoor burning is not recommended. OUTLOOK FOR FRIDAY AFTERNOON...The Grassland Fire Danger Index will reach the high category. The grassland fire danger product reflects fire danger for native grasses. It is not intended for cured agricultural crops, nor will it reflect conditions in road ditches which have been mowed. $$ IAZ003-013-014-021-022-032-MNZ090-161200- Dickinson-O'Brien-Clay-Cherokee-Buena Vista-Ida-Jackson- ...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 FRIDAY 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. $$