Brown grass is rattling in the wind across the High Plains, and it will not take much to spark a wildfire today. Warm February air, dry fuels, and gusty southwest winds are aligning from central Wyoming through western Nebraska and into south central South Dakota.
Multiple Red Flag Warnings are in effect from 11 AM to 5 PM MST and noon to 6 PM CST. In central Wyoming, including Natrona and Johnson Counties, southwest winds will reach 15 to 25 mph with gusts up to 40 mph. Relative humidity drops as low as 15 percent, with highs in the mid to upper 50s.
Across western and north central Nebraska, temperatures could reach 69 degrees. Humidity may fall to 14 percent. Southwest winds of 10 to 20 mph will gust near 30 mph. Any fire that starts will spread quickly.
In south central South Dakota, including Jones, Lyman, Buffalo, Gregory, and surrounding counties, humidity may dip to 12 to 16 percent. Winds will gust between 25 and 35 mph. Fire officials warn that flames could become difficult to control.
Conditions may intensify again Tuesday. Parts of Nebraska and eastern Colorado are under a Fire Weather Watch for southwest winds of 30 to 40 mph with gusts up to 65 mph and humidity near 11 percent. That combination could create extremely critical fire behavior.
Avoid outdoor burning. Secure trailer chains. Do not park on dry grass. Even a small spark can ignite fast-moving grass fires under these Red Flag Warning conditions.
If you’re in Wyoming, Nebraska, or South Dakota today, are you taking extra precautions to prevent wildfire starts?
