FNUS63 KUNR 150821 RFDUNR Rangeland Fire Danger Statement National Weather Service Rapid City SD 221 AM MDT Wed Apr 15 2026 .DISCUSSION...Warmer and drier conditions are expected to return today, with the rangeland fire danger rising into the high to very high category across southwestern portions of South Dakota. Very warm, dry, and breezy conditions are expected on Thursday ahead of a strong cold front. The rangeland fire danger will be in the very high to extreme category across southern portions of South Dakota Thursday afternoon. SDZ026-041-160115- Rapid City-Western Fall River- Including the cities of Rapid City, Ardmore, Edgemont, Provo, and Rumford 221 AM MDT Wed Apr 15 2026 ...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. The outlook for Thursday afternoon, The grassland fire danger index will reach the very high category. $$ SDZ027-030-031-042-074>076-160115- Southern Foothills-Custer Co Plains-Pennington Co Plains- Northern Oglala Lakota-Hermosa Foothills-Eastern Fall River- Southern Oglala Lakota- Including the cities of Hot Springs, Angostura Reservoir, Folsom, Box Elder, Caputa, New Underwood, Wasta, Wall, Scenic, Quinn, Kyle, Rockyford, Sharps Corner, Hermosa, Buffalo Gap, Fairburn, Oral, Oelrichs, Smithwick, Pine Ridge, Oglala, Wounded Knee, Porcupine, Manderson, and Batesland 221 AM MDT Wed Apr 15 2026 ...HIGH FIRE DANGER... The grassland fire danger index will reach the high category this afternoon. Unfavorable weather conditions and low moisture content of grasses, and other dry organic material on the ground, indicate that there is high potential for a fire to spread. Outdoor burning should be restricted to early morning or evening hours when wind speeds are usually lower and the relative humidity is higher. The outlook for Thursday afternoon, The grassland fire danger index will reach the high category to very high category. $$ SDZ001-002-013-014-032-043-044-046-047-049-073-077-078-160115- Harding-Northern Perkins-Northern Meade Co Plains-Ziebach-Haakon- Northern Jackson-Bennett-Mellette-Todd-Tripp- Southern Meade Co Plains-Southern Jackson-Southern Perkins- Including the cities of Buffalo, Camp Crook, Ladner, Ludlow, Redig, Reva, Lemmon, Shadehill, Meadow, Prairie City, Faith, Mud Butte, Red Owl, Howes, Opal, Dupree, Glad Valley, Cherry Creek, South Eagle Butte, Philip, Midland, Milesville, Kadoka, Cottonwood, Interior, Belvidere, Martin, Allen, Tuthill, Harrington, White River, Wood, Norris, Cedar Butte, Mission, Rosebud, Saint Francis, Parmelee, Winner, Colome, Witten, Hamill, Ideal, Ellsworth AFB, Union Center, Elm Springs, Enning, White Owl, Long Valley, Wanblee, Potato Creek, Usta, Bison, Sorum, and Zeona 221 AM MDT Wed Apr 15 2026 /321 AM CDT Wed Apr 15 2026/ ...MODERATE FIRE DANGER... The grassland fire danger index will reach the moderate category this afternoon. Marginal weather conditions or a 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. The outlook for Thursday afternoon, The grassland fire danger index will reach the high category to very high category. $$ SDZ012-025-072-160115- Butte-Northern Foothills-Sturgis/Piedmont Foothills- Including the cities of Belle Fourche, Newell, Vale, Fruitdale, Belle Fourche Reservoir, Hoover, Spearfish, Whitewood, Saint Onge, Sturgis, Piedmont, Black Hawk, Summerset, and Tilford 221 AM MDT Wed Apr 15 2026 ...LOW FIRE DANGER... The grassland fire danger index will reach the low category this afternoon. Favorable weather conditions or a high moisture content of grasses, and other dry organic material on the ground, indicate that the probability of a fast moving fire is low. Outdoor burning under these conditions can usually be performed with reasonable safety precautions, but should be monitored. The outlook for Thursday afternoon, The grassland fire danger index will reach the moderate category to high category. $$