Sioux Falls, SD – Farmers and residents across South Dakota should brace for warm and windy conditions this week, raising concerns about fire danger in already dry fields.
According to the National Weather Service Sioux Falls office, highs will climb into the 80s with breezy south winds continuing through much of the week. While skies remain mostly dry, the combination of heat, wind, and dry grasses increases the risk of field and grass fires.
Daily peak wind forecasts show sustained breezes topping 20 mph in several locations from Monday through Thursday, including Brookings, Mitchell, and Sioux City. Conditions are expected to be particularly challenging for those working outdoors on harvest operations, where sparks from equipment can quickly ignite dry crops.
Officials are urging farmers and rural residents to exercise extra caution with machinery, avoid parking vehicles on dry grass, and postpone controlled burns until winds ease. Elevated fire danger will persist until the region sees significant rainfall, which is not expected this week.
The NWS warns that fire risk is highest in open fields, roadside ditches, and grasslands where dry vegetation has accumulated during the late summer.
Residents are encouraged to stay alert to local fire advisories and to report any signs of smoke immediately.
