FNUS63 KABR 191835

RFDABR



Rangeland Fire Danger Statement

National Weather Service Aberdeen SD

135 PM CDT Thu Mar 19 2026



.DISCUSSION...



We continue to monitor fire weather conditions through Saturday 

thanks to unseasonably mild temperatures. Highs for Friday are once 

again expected to be near 80 for central South Dakota, the mid 70s 

in north central South Dakota and mid 60s to low 70s across the 

northeast. Humidity will drop from anywhere between 20 and 30 percent

across central South Dakota, closer to 25 to 35 percent across north

central South Dakota, and the northeast remaining in the 40 to 55 

percent range. Winds remain out of the west gusting between 20 and 30

mph. 



Saturday is a bit more complicated with a low developing over 

central South Dakota and a front that comes down out of North Dakota 

in the late afternoon/evening. That means erratic winds eventually 

shifting to out of the north. During the day winds will only be in 

that 20 to 30 mph range, hover in the evening/overnight, behind the 

front, we could see them closer to 25 to 35 mph with the odd gust 

over 40. Daytime temperatures are expected to top out in the mid 60s 

in the far northeast and western Minnesota, to mid 80s out by Murdo. 

Afternoon humidity will run from 40 to 55 percent in the northeast 

to 25 to 35 percent in north central to down to around 20 percent or 

lower in central South Dakota with even drier air to the west and 

south. 



SDZ003-015-033-045-048-200845-

Corson-Dewey-Stanley-Jones-Lyman-

Including the cities of McIntosh, Isabel, Fort Pierre, Murdo, 

and Kennebec

135 PM CDT Thu Mar 19 2026 /1235 PM MDT Thu Mar 19 2026/



...VERY HIGH FIRE DANGER...



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 Friday afternoon...The grassland fire danger index

will reach the high category. 





$$



SDZ004-009-016-034>036-051-200845-

Campbell-Walworth-Potter-Sully-Hughes-Hyde-Buffalo-

Including the cities of Herreid, Mobridge, Gettysburg, Onida, 

Pierre, Highmore, and Fort Thompson

135 PM CDT Thu Mar 19 2026



...HIGH FIRE DANGER...



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 Friday afternoon...The grassland fire danger index

will reach the high category. 





$$



SDZ005-010-017-037-200845-

McPherson-Edmunds-Faulk-Hand-

Including the cities of Eureka, Ipswich, Faulkton, and Miller

135 PM CDT Thu Mar 19 2026



...MODERATE FIRE DANGER...



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.





The outlook for Friday afternoon...The grassland fire danger index

will reach the moderate category. 





$$



MNZ039-046-SDZ006>008-011-018>023-200845-

Traverse-Big Stone-Brown-Marshall-Roberts-Day-Spink-Clark-Codington-

Grant-Hamlin-Deuel-

Including the cities of Wheaton, Ortonville, Aberdeen, Britton, 

Sisseton, Webster, Redfield, Clark, Watertown, Milbank, Hayti, 

and Clear Lake

135 PM CDT Thu Mar 19 2026



...LOW FIRE DANGER...



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 Friday afternoon...The grassland fire danger index

will reach the low category. 





$$