South Dakota Fires

Daily Wildfire Report for South Dakota - May 11, 2026

Overview

South Dakota is experiencing an elevated fire risk due to a historically warm and dry winter characterized by unusually low snowpack, prolonged drought conditions, and critically dry, windy weather across the state. This combination of factors has led to potentially risky situations for wildfires, particularly in the western and south-central plains and the Black Hills. The current National Preparedness Level is 2, indicating that active geographic areas are experiencing steady fire activity and may require national support to accomplish incident management objectives.

Current Situation

Fire Activity: There are currently multiple active fires in South Dakota, requiring multi-agency support. Recent tracking indicates 16 active fires burning over 21,000 acres across the state. Firefighters are working to contain these fires while actively preparing for potential new starts driven by extreme fire weather.

Key Fires:

• Route 13 Fire: Located in Ziebach County, this is the largest significant fire in the state, having burned approximately 33,928 acres. It is primarily fueled by dry prairie grasses and brush typical of the plains.
• Anderson Bridge Fire: Located near Valentine near the state border, this fire has burned approximately 17,229 acres and is fueled by a mix of grass and timber.
• Qury Fire: Located near Custer in the Black Hills, this fire has burned 9,168 acres and is currently 95% contained. It has been fueled by forest timber and dry vegetation. The fire previously caused evacuations for the town of Custer, and approximately 10 properties were affected, with structures being either damaged or destroyed.
• 79 Fire: Located in Custer County, this fire has burned 5,408 acres and continues to be fueled by grass and timber.

Prescribed Burns and Land Management: Due to the critical fire weather, burn bans are actively being enforced across various jurisdictions. Fall River County implemented a burn ban on May 7, 2026, for areas outside municipalities and the Black Hills Fire Protection District; this ban is active whenever the National Weather Service declares the Grassland Fire Danger Index to be High, Very High, or Extreme. Lincoln County has an immediate burn ban in effect with strict regulations on burn barrels and open fires. Additionally, the city of Edgemont has passed a fire ban. Residents are reminded that failure to control or report a dangerous fire is a Class 1 Misdemeanor, and reckless burning can be a Class 4 Felony, carrying financial responsibility for fire suppression costs.

Weather and Wind Warnings

Current Weather: A dangerous fire weather pattern has settled over western South Dakota, bringing hot, dry, and windy conditions that are highly conducive to rapid fire spread.
Forecasted Weather: A Red Flag Warning is in effect today, May 11, 2026, from 11:00 AM MDT to 9:00 PM MDT for much of western and south-central South Dakota, including Fall River, Custer, Butte, Perkins, Ziebach, Haakon, Bennett, and Tripp counties. Afternoon temperatures are forecast to reach the mid-80s to mid-90s, with relative humidity dropping as low as 10 to 20 percent. Strong south and southwest winds at 15 to 25 mph, with gusts up to 35 mph, are expected. A dry cold front will move through later in the afternoon and evening, causing winds to shift sharply to the northwest with gusts potentially reaching 40 to 45 mph. This sudden wind shift, combined with low humidity and dry fuels, will cause any ignited fires to spread rapidly and become difficult to control. Critical fire weather conditions are expected to persist through much of the week.

Recommendations

Public Awareness: Residents are advised to exercise extreme caution and avoid any outdoor activities that could generate sparks. It is crucial to have an emergency plan in place, adhere strictly to local burn bans, and clear dead brush from properties to reduce the risk of catastrophic fires.
Resource Allocation: Firefighters and support personnel are working across agencies to respond quickly to new starts and keep fires small. National and regional resources remain mobilized to assist local crews in managing the heightened fire activity and protecting values at risk.

Resources

For up-to-date emergency information, residents can visit:
National Interagency Fire Center (NIFC): www.nifc.gov/fire-information/nfn
South Dakota Department of Public Safety - Wildland Fire: dps.sd.gov/safety-enforcement/wildland-fire

Stay informed and prepared by monitoring these resources regularly.