North Platte, NE – Fire officials across Nebraska, South Dakota, and Wyoming are urging residents to use extreme caution today as widespread Red Flag Warnings take effect across the northern Plains. Warm, dry, and windy conditions are expected to peak this afternoon, creating an environment capable of fast-moving and hard-to-control fires.
According to the National Weather Service, the Sandhills, Panhandle, and northern Nebraska will see some of the most intense conditions. Afternoon temperatures are expected to reach near-record highs—possibly touching 80 degrees in spots—while relative humidity dips to 15–20 percent. Poor overnight moisture recovery and westerly winds gusting up to 35 mph will make any fire starts difficult to control.
In South Dakota, forecasters in Rapid City issued a Red Flag Warning for southwest through south-central counties, including Fall River, Custer Plains, Pine Ridge, the Badlands region, Bennett, Mellette, Todd, and Tripp counties. Westerly winds of 15–25 mph, combined with humidity near 15 percent, are expected to produce critical fire weather conditions from late morning through early evening.
Farther west, the National Weather Service in Cheyenne warns that the Nebraska Panhandle—covering Pine Ridge, Box Butte, the Lower North Platte River Basin, and the Lodgepole Creek region—will experience similar conditions. Humidity could drop as low as 13 percent, with winds gusting to 35 mph.
Officials across all three states advise against outdoor burning and warn that any flames could spread rapidly. Residents are encouraged to report smoke immediately and avoid activities that could spark a fire, including driving over dry grass or discarding cigarettes.
