The National Weather Service in Sioux Falls has issued a Red Flag Warning for Davison County and much of southeastern South Dakota, along with parts of northeastern Nebraska, southwestern Minnesota and northwestern Iowa, as fire danger conditions are expected to intensify Tuesday afternoon.
The warning is in effect from noon to 9 p.m. CDT Tuesday.
Forecasters say northwest winds of 20 to 30 mph, with gusts up to 40 mph, combined with relative humidity as low as 20 percent, will create conditions favorable for rapid fire growth and spread.
“A combination of strong winds, low relative humidity and warm temperatures can contribute to extreme fire behavior,” the weather service said in its advisory.
The affected area in South Dakota includes Davison County along with Beadle, Kingsbury, Brookings, Gregory, Jerauld, Sanborn, Miner, Lake, Moody, Brule, Aurora, Hanson, McCook, Minnehaha, Charles Mix, Douglas, Hutchinson, Turner, Lincoln, Bon Homme, Yankton, Clay and Union counties.
Officials are urging residents to avoid outdoor burning during the warning period, noting that any fire that develops could spread quickly under the expected conditions.
A Red Flag Warning means critical fire weather conditions are either occurring or expected shortly, and residents are encouraged to use caution with any activities that could spark a fire.