Red Flag Warning Issued for Southern Black Hills Due to Critical Fire Weather Conditions

Alert Details

The National Weather Service in Rapid City SD has issued a Red Flag Warning for critical fire weather conditions. The alert was issued on February 27 at 1:56 PM MST and remains in effect until 6:00 PM MST this evening.

Affected Areas

The primary area affected by this warning is Fire Weather Zone 321, which encompasses the Southern Black Hills region.

What You Should Do

Residents and visitors in the affected area should prepare for critical fire weather conditions. A Red Flag Warning indicates that a combination of strong winds, low relative humidity, and warm temperatures can contribute to extreme fire behavior. Exercise extreme caution with any potential ignition sources as conditions are favorable for rapid fire spread.

Expected Conditions

• Winds: Northwest winds between 10 to 15 mph are expected, with gusts reaching up to 25 mph.
• Humidity: Relative humidity levels are forecast to drop as low as 15 percent.
• Impacts: The combination of gusty winds and low relative humidity would produce critical fire weather conditions. Antecedent D1 to D2 drought conditions in the region will further exacerbate the fire potential.

Timeline

The Red Flag Warning is currently in effect and is scheduled to expire at 6:00 PM MST (7:00 PM CST) this evening, Friday, February 27, 2026.