FNUS63 KABR 200649

RFDABR



Rangeland Fire Danger Statement

National Weather Service Aberdeen SD

149 AM CDT Fri Mar 20 2026



.DISCUSSION...



Near-record warmth combined with gusts of 15-25 mph will create 

elevated fire weather concerns today and Saturday. On Friday, both 

wind gusts and afternoon humidity will approach Red Flag Warning 

criteria (gusts of 25 mph combined with humidity of 20%), but 

confidence is low on actually hitting those thresholds this 

afternoon, peaking at a roughly 10-20% chance over portions of 

Corson and Dewey counties. Still, the warm and dry conditions will 

create some elevated fire weather concerns this afternoon. Winds 

Saturday are expected to fall short of Red Flag criteria in the 

afternoon (gusting 15-20 mph). Afternoon humidity will still drop 

below 20 percent over portions of Jones and Lyman counties and 

creating elevated fire weather concerns. A cold front will drop over 

the area Saturday evening, dropping temperatures closer to seasonal 

and veering winds northerly. Expect wind speeds to increase behind 

the front, up to 20-25 miles per hour, gusting to 30-35. An earlier 

onset of these winds may be cause for concern over central South 

Dakota, but at this time the Grassland Fire Danger Index remains at 

High for both today and Saturday.



SDZ003-004-009-015-016-033>036-045-048-051-202100-

Corson-Campbell-Walworth-Dewey-Potter-Stanley-Sully-Hughes-Hyde-

Jones-Lyman-Buffalo-

Including the cities of McIntosh, Herreid, Mobridge, Isabel, 

Gettysburg, Fort Pierre, Onida, Pierre, Highmore, Murdo, Kennebec, 

and Fort Thompson

149 AM CDT Fri Mar 20 2026 /1249 AM MDT Fri Mar 20 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 Saturday afternoon...The grassland fire danger index

will reach the high category. 





$$



SDZ005-010-017-037-202100-

McPherson-Edmunds-Faulk-Hand-

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

149 AM CDT Fri Mar 20 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 Saturday afternoon...The grassland fire danger index

will reach the high category. 





$$



MNZ039-046-SDZ006>008-011-018>023-202100-

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

149 AM CDT Fri Mar 20 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 Saturday afternoon...The grassland fire danger index

will reach the low to moderate category. 





$$