Red Flag Warning Indicates Extreme Fire Danger across Western South Dakota Thursday

The National Weather Service has issued a RED FLAG WARNING for western South Dakota from Noon to 11 p.m. local time, Thursday, July 25. A Red Flag Warning means that critical fire weather conditions are either occurring now or will shortly. A combination of strong winds, low relative humidity, and warm temperatures can contribute to extreme fire behavior creating ideal conditions for wildland fires to start easily and spread quickly.

Counties within the Red Flag Warning area include Butte, Custer, Fall River, Harding, Jackson, Lawrence, Meade, Oglala Lakota, Pennington, and Perkins counties.

South Dakota Wildland Fire advises extreme caution with any potential fire ignition sources today. Please avoid any outdoor burning during this time, using tools that generate sparks, dragging chains from trailers, throwing cigarette butts out a car window, and parking in tall, dry grass. 

If you see a wildland fire call 911 immediately. Be aware that in conditions like these, fires may spread quickly.

For more information about fire prevention visit https://wildlandfire.sd.gov/.

SDWF is an agency of the South Dakota Department of Public Safety.