Wildfires in South Dakota

Large wildfires have burned 1.25 million acres of South Dakota since 1984, 20th among the states.

  • 1.25Macres burned since 1984
  • 235large fires
  • 2000worst year, 188K acres
  • 20thamong the states for acres burned
2025
  • Wildfires on record, by year

Over time

Acres burned in South Dakota per year 1984: 3,957 1985: 97K 1987: 40K 1988: 52K 1990: 16K 1991: 32K 1992: 14K 1993: 1,112 1994: 1,066 1995: 3,318 1996: 9,011 1997: 1,444 1998: 1,114 1999: 25K 2000: 188K 188K 2001: 36K 2002: 75K 2003: 29K 2004: 2,666 2005: 14K 2006: 80K 2007: 48K 2009: 1,174 2011: 27K 2012: 127K 2013: 12K 2014: 1,273 2015: 19K 2016: 79K 2017: 65K 2020: 9,078 2021: 44K 2022: 29K 2024: 32K 2025: 34K 1984199119962001200620132020

The largest fires

Notable events
Jasper Fire200082,243
Wellnitz Fire201277,396
Kraft Springs Fire200266,247
Legion Lake Fire201754,850
Brewer Fire198848,246
Cottonwood Ca Fire201641,793
Longhorn Complex201241,436
Route 13 Fire202534,447

Every county

Counties with any recorded events, highest first.