Rapid City, SD – The National Weather Service has issued a Fire Weather Watch for Friday afternoon through Friday evening for parts of northeast Wyoming and southwest South Dakota.
According to the NWS, temperatures will climb well above normal Friday, while relative humidity levels drop to 10–15 percent. Breezy southwest winds of 10 to 20 mph, with gusts up to 30 mph, are expected to develop during the afternoon.
These conditions, combined with dry fuels, could create critical fire weather conditions, making it easier for wildfires to start and spread quickly.
The Fire Weather Watch covers multiple zones, including Campbell, Crook, and Weston Counties in Wyoming, as well as the Black Hills, Fall River County, Custer County Plains, Pine Ridge, West Central Plains, Eastern Foothills, and Badlands areas of South Dakota.
Meteorologists cautioned that the watch may be upgraded to a Red Flag Warning if conditions hold. Residents are urged to avoid outdoor burning, use caution with equipment that could spark, and stay alert for updates.
The NWS will continue to monitor conditions closely and provide additional advisories as needed.
