A Red Flag Warning remains in effect through 9 p.m. today for western South Dakota and portions of northeastern Wyoming as warm temperatures, strong winds, and extremely low humidity combine to create dangerous fire weather conditions.
The warning, issued by the National Weather Service in Rapid City, covers large areas including the Central and Southern Black Hills, Fall River County, the Pine Ridge area, the Badlands, and parts of Campbell and Weston counties in Wyoming.
Forecasters say west winds of 20 to 30 miles per hour, with gusts reaching up to 45 mph, are expected through the evening. Relative humidity levels are forecast to drop as low as 10 percent, creating an environment where fires can ignite easily and spread rapidly.
Officials are urging residents to avoid outdoor burning, including campfires and debris burning, and to use extreme caution with anything that could spark a fire. This includes machinery, vehicles parked in tall grass, and discarded cigarettes.
Weather conditions are expected to improve later tonight as winds diminish and humidity levels slowly recover.
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