Strong winds, dry conditions lead to a risk of fire

Sioux Falls, SD (Now Dakota News) – from one extreme to the other. South Dakota and the rest of the region are not at risk of cold temperatures.

But with the forecast drying conditions and strong winds, there will be a very high risk of fire in the coming days.

“We are looking for 25, more than 35 miles per hour. This is only for our constant wind speeds. Gusts will be even higher. That is the perfect combination for this extreme fire weather, ”said Dakota News now the first alarm meteorologist Lexie Merley.

Jason Gearan, an emergency director of Minnehaha County's emergency management, said this was an active time in the county for people who want to burn stacks, but they ask people not to do it.

“This is the time of the year when everyone likes to come out and burn their ditches or brush piles that have been sitting over the winter. We encourage the people not to do that, especially on Friday, ”said Gearman.

Every faulty spark or ember could start a fire that could quickly get out of control if it blows with the strong winds.

“If there was a fire tomorrow and with the 40 miles per hour in the afternoon, as they predict, with the relatively high heat for this time of year, it could really harm and get out of control and cause problems,” said Gearman.

Gearman said it was one thing when a fire breaks out and the crews of Sioux if can react. It is another if a rural fire brigade has to react because it can absorb their very limited resources and stretch them quickly.

“Rural firefighters, many of them are volunteers. Most of them are volunteers. When they are called, it takes them away from their work. There are costs. Therefore, we encourage people to prevent burning, or everything they may have to do with this kind of things, ”said Gearman.

Garran said that as long as these dry conditions exist, it does not matter whether there are strong winds or not. People should still turn caution and avoid burning something in the foreseeable future.

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