Red Flag Warning Issued for Northwest Iowa and Southeast South Dakota
The National Weather Service has issued a Red Flag Warning for parts of Iowa and South Dakota due to critical fire weather conditions, effective Friday from 11 AM to 6 PM CST.
Alert Details
The National Weather Service in Sioux Falls has issued a Red Flag Warning for wind and low relative humidity. This alert indicates that critical fire weather conditions are either occurring now or will develop shortly, driven by a combination of strong winds, low humidity, and warm temperatures.
Affected Areas
The warning impacts the following geographic regions:
- Northwest Iowa: Sioux, Cherokee, and Ida counties.
- Southeast South Dakota: Brule, Aurora, Davison, Douglas, Hutchinson, Turner, and Lincoln counties.
What You Should Do
Residents in the affected areas are advised that any fire that develops will catch and spread quickly. Outdoor burning is not recommended during this period. Residents should prepare for extreme fire behavior and monitor local conditions closely.
Expected Conditions
- Winds: Northwest winds of 20 to 30 mph are expected, with gusts reaching up to 40 mph.
- Relative Humidity: Humidity levels are forecast to drop as low as 24 percent.
- Impacts: The combination of high wind speeds and low moisture creates an environment where fires can become difficult to control rapidly.
Timeline
The Red Flag Warning is scheduled to be in effect from 11:00 AM to 6:00 PM CST on Friday, February 27, 2026.
Source: NOAA Official Notice