Red Flag Warning Issued for Tripp County and South-Central South Dakota

Alert Details

The National Weather Service in Rapid City SD has issued a Red Flag Warning for gusty winds and low relative humidity. This alert replaces the previous Fire Weather Watch and indicates that critical fire weather conditions are imminent or occurring.

Affected Areas

The primary affected area is Fire Weather Zone 335, specifically Tripp County in South Dakota. The warning also encompasses Fire Weather Zones 315, 317, 322, 326, 333, and 334, covering parts of northeastern Wyoming and southwestern into south-central South Dakota.

What You Should Do

Residents in the warning area should prepare for extreme fire behavior. A Red Flag Warning means that a combination of strong winds, low relative humidity, and warm temperatures can contribute to rapid fire spread. Outdoor burning is highly discouraged, and residents should exercise extreme caution with any potential ignition sources.

Expected Conditions

• Winds: Northwest winds between 20 to 30 mph are expected, with gusts reaching up to 40 mph. The strongest gusts are anticipated over south-central South Dakota.
• Humidity: Minimum relative humidity values will drop to between 15 and 20 percent.
• Drought Context: Existing D1 to D2 drought conditions in the region are expected to exacerbate the fire potential.
• Impacts: The combination of very dry air and high winds will create critical fire weather conditions.

Timeline

The Red Flag Warning is in effect from 1:00 PM to 7:00 PM CST (Noon to 6:00 PM MST) on Friday, February 27. The alert was issued on the evening of February 26 and is set to expire at the conclusion of the Friday evening window.