South Dakota Fires

Daily Wildfire Report for South Dakota - May 20, 2026

Overview

South Dakota is experiencing an elevated fire risk due to a combination of worsening drought conditions, blowing dust, high temperatures, low relative humidity, and strong winds. This classic dry and windy setup has led to potentially risky situations for wildfires across the Great Plains and the Black Hills.
The current National Preparedness Level for the region is 2, with national resources actively managing new large incidents across the country and nearly 2,000 personnel assigned to incidents nationwide.

Current Situation

Fire Activity: There are currently multiple active fires in South Dakota, and significant wildland fire activity is occurring across the region. Firefighters are working rapidly to contain new starts while preparing for potential new ignitions driven by critical weather conditions. The state has recently bolstered its fire response capabilities ahead of the peak season, opening new wildland fire facilities in Hot Springs and Rapid City to enhance response times.

Key Fires:

• Okreek Fire: Located between Winner and Mission, this large fire has burned approximately 7,500 acres and stretches 22 miles long. A Type 2 Incident Management Team has assumed command of the fire, which is burning partly on the Rosebud Indian Reservation. It is primarily fueled by dry prairie grasses and winter-dried vegetation. No evacuations are currently in effect, but strong winds have made containment challenging.
• Coyote Flats Fire: Located southeast of Rockerville and Highway 16 near Rapid City, this fire has burned an estimated 400 acres. While forward progress of the fire has been stopped by numerous area fire crews and air attack resources, it initially threatened structures and prompted immediate "GO NOW" evacuation notices for residents in the immediate area.
• Qury Fire (Burn Scar Recovery): While ignited earlier in the season, the 9,000-acre Qury Fire in Custer County remains a significant event for the state. It serves as a stark reminder of the volatile fuels in the Black Hills, having rapidly burned low-lying lightweight forest fuels like grasses and shrubs before crowning into tall timber. Homeowners and local agencies are actively touring the burn scar to educate the public on structure protection and mitigation.

Prescribed Burns and Land Management: South Dakota lawmakers recently approved several measures supporting fire services, including dedicated funding for controlled burns to reduce fuel loads across the state. However, due to the current extreme fire weather, several counties—including Stanley, Beadle, Lincoln, and Davison—have strict open burning restrictions in place. In many jurisdictions, burn bans automatically trigger or re-activate whenever the National Weather Service issues a Red Flag Warning.

Air Quality: High winds are currently kicking up significant blowing dust across the Northern Plains, which, combined with localized smoke from active fires, may reduce visibility and impact air quality. Residents in the paths of active fires should remain indoors if smoke becomes heavy.

Weather and Wind Warnings

Current Weather: Extreme fire danger and worsening drought conditions are creating growing concerns across the state. A combination of warm temperatures and very low humidity is creating dangerous conditions for rapid wildfire growth.
Forecasted Weather: The National Weather Service has issued Red Flag Warnings for a large portion of western, northern, and eastern South Dakota, including Fall River, Pine Ridge, Butte, Custer, Corson, Dewey, and Brookings counties. Southeast winds are shifting to the northwest and increasing to 25 to 35 mph, with severe gusts reaching as high as 50 to 55 mph. Relative humidity will remain in the teens or lower, further elevating fire danger. Any fires that develop will catch and spread quickly.

Recommendations

Public Awareness: Residents are advised to be mindful of fire traffic and potential smoke impacts. Outdoor burning is strongly discouraged, and residents must adhere to local county burn bans. It is crucial to have an emergency plan in place and to clear dead brush and firewood away from home exteriors to reduce the risk of ember ignitions.
Resource Allocation: South Dakota has recently invested in improving wildfire readiness, securing additional funding to replace aging equipment and providing $5 million in grants for personal protective equipment for volunteer fire departments. A new East River fire management officer position has also been created to expand coordination in eastern South Dakota.

Resources

For up-to-date emergency information, residents can visit:
National Interagency Fire Center (NIFC): www.nifc.gov/fire-information/nfn
South Dakota Wildland Fire: wildlandfire.sd.gov
National Weather Service - Fire Weather: www.weather.gov

Stay informed and prepared by monitoring these resources regularly.