RAPID CITY, SD – The National Weather Service in Rapid City has issued a Red Flag Warning for most of western South Dakota from 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. MDT Monday, May 11, 2026, as a combination of hot temperatures, low humidity and gusty winds is expected to produce critical fire weather conditions across the region.

The warning covers a large portion of western South Dakota, including the Rapid City area. A Fire Weather Watch remains in effect for the Black Hills and parts of northwestern South Dakota.

Forecasters say dry fuels combined with hot temperatures of 85 to 95 degrees and low relative humidities of 12 to 18 percent will create dangerous fire conditions. Winds out of the south-southwest at 15 to 25 mph, gusting up to 35 mph, are expected to suddenly shift to the northwest at 15 to 25 mph with gusts up to 40 mph due to an approaching front.

The National Weather Service said confidence in the warning is high, though local fuels status and green-up may affect localized risk levels.

Residents in the Rapid City area and across western South Dakota are urged to avoid any activity that could spark a wildfire. Officials are advising the public not to burn outdoors, never throw cigarettes from a vehicle, avoid driving over dry grass and to eliminate any potential ignition sources during the warning period.