Red Flag Warning Issued for Northeastern Wyoming and South-Central South Dakota

Alert Details

The National Weather Service in Rapid City has issued a Red Flag Warning for gusty winds and low relative humidity. This alert, issued by NWS Rapid City SD, signifies that critical fire weather conditions are imminent or occurring due to a combination of environmental factors.

Affected Areas

The warning impacts the following regions across northeastern Wyoming and south-central South Dakota:

• Wyoming: Southern Campbell (Fire Weather Zone 315) and Weston County Plains (Zone 317).
• South Dakota: Southern Black Hills (Zone 321), Fall River County Area (Zone 322), Custer County Plains (Zone 325), Pine Ridge Area (Zone 326), Badlands Area (Zone 332), Bennett County Area (Zone 333), Mellette and Todd Counties (Zone 334), and Tripp County (Zone 335).

What You Should Do

Residents and visitors in the affected areas should prepare for extreme fire behavior. A Red Flag Warning means that the combination of strong winds, low relative humidity, and warm temperatures can contribute to the rapid spread of fire. Outdoor burning is highly discouraged, and individuals should take precautions to prevent any accidental sparks or flames.

Expected Conditions

Unseasonably warm weather will combine with high winds and dry air to create hazardous conditions:

• Winds: Westerly winds of 12 to 25 mph are expected, with gusts ranging from 25 to 35 mph.
• Relative Humidity: Humidity levels are forecast to drop as low as 15 percent.
• Impacts: These conditions are expected to produce critical fire weather behavior throughout the afternoon.

Timeline

The Red Flag Warning is in effect on Sunday, February 15, 2026. The specific time window is from 11:00 AM MST (Noon CST) until 5:00 PM MST (6:00 PM CST).