Sioux Falls, South Dakota – Fires could spread out of control in minutes late Friday morning as powerful northwest winds and very dry air move across southeast South Dakota and surrounding states.
According to the National Weather Service in Sioux Falls, a Red Flag Warning is in effect from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Friday for portions of southeast South Dakota, northwest Iowa and northeast Nebraska. Northwest winds will increase to 20 to 30 mph, with gusts up to 40 mph. Relative humidity will fall as low as 20 to 24 percent, creating explosive fire growth conditions.
In South Dakota, counties including Lincoln, Union, Clay, Yankton, Turner, Hutchinson, Davison and Charles Mix are under the warning. Sioux Falls, Yankton and Vermillion sit in the highest risk corridor during peak afternoon winds. In Iowa, Sioux, Plymouth, Woodbury, Cherokee and Ida counties are included, along with Dakota and Dixon counties in northeast Nebraska.
Any spark from machinery, towing chains or discarded cigarettes could ignite dry grass and crop residue. Officials strongly discourage outdoor burning and urge residents to secure equipment that may create sparks.
Winds are expected to ease after 6 p.m., but fire crews warn that any blaze ignited before sunset could spread rapidly under 40 mph gusts. Additional fire weather alerts may follow if dry conditions persist into the weekend.
