The National Weather Service Grassland Fire Danger Index shows there’s a moderate chance for grassland fires in a handful of central South Dakota counties today (April 12, 2023), those being Lyman, Buffalo, Stanley, Dewey and Corson.
To the west of those counties, the grassland fire danger is “high” while to the east of those counties, the danger of fire is considered “low.”
The Grassland Fire Danger Index is based on a mathematical formula that uses temperature, relative humidity, wind speed and the “greenness” of the plant material, call curing. Cured grasses contain less moisture and typically will burn much more efficiently than green grasses.
EXPECTED TODAY:
Grassland fire danger index map for April 12, 2023.
Infographic credit National Weather Service.
PROJECTED Grassland Fire Danger Index for tomorrow.
PROJECTED grassland fire danger index map for April 13, 2023.
Infographic credit National Weather Service.
Grassland Fire Danger Index ratings defined:
Low: Favorable weather conditions and a high moisture content of grasses, and other dry organic material on the ground, indicate that the probability of a fast moving fire is low. Outdoor burning under these conditions can usually be performed with reasonable safety precautions.
Moderate: Marginal weather conditions and lowering moisture content of grasses, and other dry organic material on the ground, indicate that there is some potential for a fire to spread. Any outdoor burning should be closely monitored.
High: Unfavorable weather conditions and low moisture content of grasses, and other dry organic material on the ground, indicate that there is high potential for a fire to spread. Outdoor burning should be restricted to early morning or evening hours when wind speeds are usually lower and the relative humidity is higher.
Very High: Very poor weather conditions and very low moisture content of grasses, and other dry organic material on the ground, indicate that dangerous burning conditions exist. Fires will spread rapidly and show erratic behavior. Outdoor burning is not recommended.
Extreme: Extreme weather conditions and very low moisture content of grasses, and other dry organic material on the ground, indicate that critical burning conditions exist. All fires have the potential to become large and spread quickly becoming erratic with extreme behavioral characteristics.
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