Pierre, South Dakota – Any spark across central and south-central South Dakota could spread rapidly by midday Sunday as dry air and gusty winds combine during peak heating hours.
According to the National Weather Service offices in Aberdeen, Rapid City and Sioux Falls, a Red Flag Warning is in effect from noon to 6 p.m. CST Sunday for a broad stretch of the state, including Jones, Lyman, Buffalo, Gregory, Brule, Aurora, Davison, Charles Mix, Douglas and surrounding counties. Additional warnings extend west into the Southern Black Hills, Pine Ridge, Bennett County, Mellette, Todd and Tripp counties, as well as parts of northeastern Wyoming.
Relative humidity will drop as low as 12 to 16 percent while southwest winds increase to 10 to 20 mph with gusts between 30 and 35 mph. Those conditions will allow any fire to spread quickly through dry grasses and open rangeland.
Communities from Rapid City and the Black Hills east through Pierre, Mitchell and Winner face the highest afternoon risk. Fire officials urge residents to avoid outdoor burning, secure trailer chains and keep vehicles off dry vegetation.
The warning expires at 6 p.m. CST as humidity recovers after sunset, but fire crews remain on alert during the afternoon peak when conditions will be most volatile.
