Key facts
- Alert
- Red Flag Warning (severe)
- Issued by
- National Weather Service, Rapid City SD
- Areas
- Northern Foot Hills; Butte County Area; Northern Campbell; Southern Campbell; Crook County Plains; Weston County Plains; Wyoming Black Hills
- In effect
- until 11:00 PM MDT, Oct 23, 2026
What the National Weather Service says
“Any fires that develop will spread rapidly. Outdoor burning is not recommended.”
NWS Rapid City SD, Red Flag Warning, 10:42 AM MDT Oct 23, 2026 · official alert
“A Red Flag Warning means that critical fire weather conditions are either occurring now, or will shortly.”
NWS Rapid City SD, Red Flag Warning, 10:42 AM MDT Oct 23, 2026 · official alert
What to do
Do not burn outdoors while the warning is in effect. The National Weather Service says any fires that develop will spread rapidly.
Avoid anything that can spark. That includes campfires, discarded cigarettes, and equipment that throws sparks or runs hot over dry grass.
Be ready to leave if a fire starts nearby. Follow local evacuation orders immediately, and keep your phone charged and your vehicle fueled.
Expect strong southwest winds and very dry air through 11:00 PM MDT Friday. Check for updates from the National Weather Service.
Context
The warning covers Fire Weather Zones 318, 323, and 327. The text also says it remains in effect for northern Campbell, southern Campbell, Crook County Plains, and Weston County Plains.
FEMA records for the South Dakota counties listed show past disaster declarations, mostly for severe storms, flooding, and winter storms, not wildfire. Flood-insurance claims (38, 23, and 13 across three counties) count only insured properties and do not measure fire risk.
Updates
- The red flag warning is no longer in effect.
- The National Weather Service updated the red flag warning; it remains in effect until 11:00 PM MDT.
- NWS Rapid City SD issued the red flag warning until 11:00 PM MDT.
History here
This county: 38 flood insurance claims in FEMA's National Flood Insurance Program records since 1978, most recent 2019.
This county: recent federal disaster declarations
- DR-4467 (2019): severe storms, tornadoes, and flooding
- DR-4155 (2013): severe winter storm, snowstorm, and flooding
- DR-4125 (2013): severe storms, tornado, and flooding
- DR-1774 (2008): severe storms and flooding
- DR-1759 (2008): severe winter storm and record and near record snow
This county: 23 flood insurance claims in FEMA's National Flood Insurance Program records since 1978, most recent 2019.
This county: recent federal disaster declarations
- DR-4467 (2019): severe storms, tornadoes, and flooding
- DR-4463 (2019): severe storms and flooding
- DR-4298 (2017): severe winter storm
- DR-4155 (2013): severe winter storm, snowstorm, and flooding
- DR-1887 (2010): severe winter storm
This county: 13 flood insurance claims in FEMA's National Flood Insurance Program records since 1982, most recent 2011.
This county: recent federal disaster declarations
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Questions
- Is there a Red Flag Warning in the Black Hills area?
- Yes. The National Weather Service in Rapid City has a Red Flag Warning for the Wyoming Black Hills, the Northern Foot Hills, and the Butte County Area.
- When does the Red Flag Warning end?
- It is in effect from 11 AM to 11 PM MDT Friday. It ends at 11:00 PM MDT.
- Why was the Red Flag Warning issued?
- The National Weather Service cites gusty winds and low relative humidity. Southwest winds of 15 to 25 mph with gusts up to 40 mph are expected, and humidity could drop as low as 15 percent.
Sources
- NWS Rapid City SD: Red Flag Warning, Oct 23, 2026 weather.gov
- FEMA OpenFEMA: NFIP claims and disaster declarations fema.gov
How this page is made. The Herebeat Hazard Desk builds event pages from official U.S. government data (National Weather Service, USGS, FEMA). The text is written with AI from that data; every number and quote is checked against the official source automatically before publishing, and the page is updated when the agency updates the event. The official source is always the reference. Spotted a mistake? info@herebeat.app. About the Hazard Desk.