RAPID CITY, S.D. – The South Dakota Department of Agriculture and Natural Resources (DANR) has issued an air quality alert for parts of the state, including Rapid City and the Black Hills, as smoke from Canadian wildfires drifts south. The alert is in effect from Thursday, July 31, 2025, through Sunday, August 3, 2025, or until conditions improve.
The smoke is expected to cause reduced visibility and an increase in fine particulate matter (PM2.5) pollution. The South Dakota Department of Health (DOH) is advising that these air quality levels may pose a public health concern, particularly for vulnerable populations.
Elderly individuals, young children, and people with pre-existing respiratory conditions such as asthma and COPD are most susceptible to the effects of the smoke. All residents are encouraged to limit strenuous outdoor activities and keep windows and doors closed to maintain cleaner indoor air. Poor air quality can lead to symptoms like chest pain, shortness of breath, coughing, or fatigue. Anyone experiencing health issues related to the smoke should contact their healthcare provider.
Residents can monitor real-time PM2.5 concentrations by visiting the DANR website at https://denravweb.sd.gov/AirVision/default.aspx or the Environmental Protection Agency’s website at https://www.airnow.gov/. An hourly PM2.5 value exceeding 35 micrograms per cubic meter (ug/m3) is considered a public health concern.
