The 2025 South Dakota wildfires were a series of wildfires that burned in the U.S. state of South Dakota.
Background
While "fire season" varies every year in South Dakota, most wildfires occur between February and April and June and August. However, there is an increasing fire danger year-round. Fire conditions can be exacerbated by drought, strong winds, and vegetation growth. Climate change is leading to increased temperatures, lower humidity levels, and drought conditions are happening more often. Additionally, warmer temperatures and less precipitation can result in less snowmelt, further contributing to bad wildfire conditions.
Summary
South Dakota’s wildfire season in 2025 has remained relatively moderate so far, with occasional large fires in grassland and tribal-reservation areas.
One of the largest fires this year is the Route 13 Fire in Ziebach County, which burned about 33,928 acres after three individual fires merged. Other significant wildfires include the South Tripp Fire in Tripp County (~1,288 acres) and the War Creek Fire in Jones County (~2,602 acres).
Smoke from regional fires and distant fires (including Canadian wildfires) has periodically affected air quality in parts of eastern South Dakota and the Black Hills region.
In western South Dakota, Red Flag Warnings have been issued under hot, dry, and windy conditions, reminding that fire danger is still present even late in the season.
List of wildfires
The following is a list of fires that burned more than , produced significant structural damage, or resulted in casualties. NameCounty AcresStart dateContainment dateNotesRefRoute 13Ziebach33,928From three fires merging together. Burned about south of Faith.South TrippTripp2,000War CreekJones2,602Human-caused. Burned south of Fort Pierre.
See also 2025 United States wildfires
Notes
References