Rapid City, South Dakota – Unseasonably warm temperatures, very dry air and gusty winds will create critical fire weather conditions across parts of northeastern Wyoming and south-central South Dakota on Sunday afternoon.
A Red Flag Warning is in effect from 11 a.m. MST to 5 p.m. MST Sunday (noon to 6 p.m. CST) for the Southern Black Hills, Fall River County, Custer County Plains, Pine Ridge Area, Badlands, Bennett County, Mellette and Todd counties, Tripp County, Southern Campbell County and the Weston County Plains.
West winds will range from 12 to 25 mph with gusts between 25 and 35 mph. Relative humidity could drop as low as 15 percent during peak heating.
According to the National Weather Service in Rapid City, the combination of strong winds, low humidity and warm temperatures may lead to extreme fire behavior. Any spark could spread rapidly across dry grasslands and open terrain.
Communities including Rapid City, Hot Springs, Custer, Pine Ridge, Chadron and areas near the Wyoming border should avoid outdoor burning. Secure trailer chains, avoid parking vehicles on dry grass and properly discard cigarettes.
Officials urge residents to postpone any activities that could ignite a fire. Conditions will be most dangerous during the late morning through late afternoon hours Sunday before humidity gradually recovers toward evening.
Emergency managers stress that even small fires could grow quickly under these conditions.
