Critical fire weather conditions will persist across much of western South Dakota through this evening, according to the National Weather Service.
A Red Flag Warning remains in effect until 9 p.m. MDT Thursday for a large portion of the region, including Fall River County, the Pine Ridge area, the northern and eastern foothills, and parts of Butte, Custer, Ziebach, Haakon, Bennett and surrounding counties.
Forecasters say a combination of warm temperatures, very low humidity and strong winds is creating dangerous conditions for wildfire growth. Southeast winds will shift to the northwest and increase to 25 to 35 mph with gusts reaching as high as 55 mph today.
Relative humidity will remain in the teens or lower further elevating fire danger.
Officials warn that any fires that develop could spread rapidly under these conditions. Outdoor burning is strongly discouraged.
A Red Flag Warning indicates that critical fire weather conditions are either occurring or imminent, increasing the risk of extreme fire behavior.
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