FNUS63 KABR 201826

RFDABR



Rangeland Fire Danger Statement

National Weather Service Aberdeen SD

126 PM CDT Fri Mar 20 2026



.DISCUSSION...



Temperatures will be topping out around 80 across central South 

Dakota, to mid/upper 60s across the northeast and western Minnesota 

today. Winds out of the west to northwest will continue to run 

around 20 to 25 mph, with afternoon humidity down around 20% in 

south central South Dakota, and closer to 20 to 30% up the Missouri 

valley. 



Saturday will feature record heat, with highs in the 70s and 80s. 

Humidity will also be lower, with around 35% across the northern 

tier of the state, to down around 20% in central South Dakota, to 

the teens across the west and south central South Dakota. Winds will 

be weaker, though more erratic during the day. There will be a shift 

to northerly, with an increase in the late afternoon and evening. 

Gusts from to 25 to 40 mph will increase the risk of erratic fire 

behavior, though as the winds increase temperatures drop and 

humidity comes up.



SDZ003-015-033-045-048-210830-

Corson-Dewey-Stanley-Jones-Lyman-

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

and Kennebec

126 PM CDT Fri Mar 20 2026 /1226 PM MDT Fri Mar 20 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 Saturday afternoon...The grassland fire danger index

will reach the very high category. 





$$



SDZ004-009-016-034>037-051-210830-

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

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

Pierre, Highmore, Miller, and Fort Thompson

126 PM CDT 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 to very high category. 





$$



SDZ005-010-017-210830-

McPherson-Edmunds-Faulk-

Including the cities of Eureka, Ipswich, and Faulkton

126 PM 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>023-210830-

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

126 PM 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 moderate to high category. 





$$



07