“We extend our deepest sympathies to the loved ones of the deceased and offer our prayers and support for the critically injured individual as well as those who have lost their homes and property to these tragic fires,” Gov. Doug Burgum said. “The state continues to utilize all resources at our disposal to assist local, tribal and federal agencies in safeguarding people, property and communities.”

Johannes Nicolaas Van Eeden, 26, of South Africa, succumbed to critical injuries from fire in the Ray area. An additional individual with a critical injury has been transported for medical care, according to Williams County Emergency Management. A report of a Watford City area resident also injured in putting out hotspots was unconfirmed by authorities as of Sunday.

Crews on the ground saved the town of Mandaree as they fought through Saturday night to contain the Bear Den fire, estimated to have burned more than 25,000 acres, two primary residences and numerous outbuildings. As daylight broke Sunday, two National Guard Black Hawk helicopters took flight to join the firefighting teams on the ground at both the Bear Den fire near Mandaree and the Elkhorn fire near Grassy Butte.

“I’ve fought fires for 27 years across the nation, including international, and can honestly say I’ve never seen anything like this,” said Fire Management Officer Ryan Melin of the North Dakota Forest Service. “Historic day, historic damage; unprecedented response.”

Submitted Photo This trailer overturning on U.S. Highway 83 on the south side of Minot apparently was caused by the strong winds on Saturday. Photo by Cheryl Stein.

According to the Governor’s Office, several large wildfires were being fought in western North Dakota Saturday evening, including near Grassy Butte, near Johnson’s Corner along N.D. Highway 73 and near Mandaree. Those followed fires Friday night and earlier Saturday that burned thousands of acres, including near Arnegard, Keene and Charlson. Evacuation orders were issued in multiple areas and temporary shelters were opened for those displaced. No injuries were reported in those fires, but at least one residence and a number of other structures were destroyed. Fires also were reported near Garrison, Tioga and Ray, where spreading flames and smoke forced the closure of U.S. Highway 2.

The Ray, Alamo and Tioga fires began as two fires merged, resulting in the fatality and injury as well as downing power lines. The Garrison fire near Emmet covered 830 acres and was stopped a mile from Garrison. The Charlson fire was estimated at two miles wide, with downed power lines.

The Arnegard Fire Protection District, aided by multiple fire departments, fought a major fire Saturday that had forced a temporary evacuation of the community.

High winds created challenges as the fire was not declared extinguished until 7 a.m. Sunday.

The fire district reported about 561 acres burned, along with a structure, out buildings and a number of vehicles. At least one house sustained damages.

Submitted Photo This North Dakota National Guard member prepares to head to Mandaree. Soldiers and airmen with Incident Qualifications Card training, also referred to as a Red Card training, were in processed for state active duty at Fraine Barracks in Bismarck on Sunday. U.S. Army National Guard photo by Staff Sgt. Samuel J. Kroll.

The fire was reported to be caused by downed power lines due to the extreme winds. At one point, the district stated, it was fighting the fire with gusts recorded by the National Weather Service at 73 mph.

The Elkhorn Fire, which started on Saturday about 8 miles south and 5 miles east of Watford City, rapidly spread in a southeasterly direction, according to Badlands Search & Rescue Service. Because of the strong winds and rugged terrain, suppression efforts were difficult, it reported. The fire burned about 10,000 acres of private, state, and federal land but the only structure lost was an out building.

On Sunday, near the Little Missouri River, the North Dakota National Guard used a helicopter to perform water drops to contain the fire, Badlands Search & Rescue stated in a release of information Sunday.

After communicating throughout Saturday on wildfire response, Burgum held a virtual meeting Saturday evening with Mandan, Hidatsa and Arikara (MHA) Nation Chairman Mark Fox, the North Dakota National Guard’s adjutant general, Brig. Gen. Mitch Johnson, state Homeland Security Director Darin Hanson, N.D. Department of Mineral Resources Director Nathan Anderson and others to coordinate plans for continued response to the wildfires into Sunday. Further knockdown and mop-up of the fires is expected to take several days.

Under the authority provided by a statewide fire emergency declaration issued by Burgum on Thursday, the N.D. Forest Service, N.D. Department of Emergency Services and N.D. National Guard mobilized resources to assist local, state and tribal firefighters.

Submitted Photo U.S. Air Force Brig. Gen. Mitchell Johnson, North Dakota adjutant general, thanks soldiers and airmen in processing on Sunday at Fraine Barracks in Bismarck to fight fires in western North Dakota. U.S. Army National Guard photo by Staff Sgt. Samuel J. Kroll.

The Governor’s Office reported the N.D. Forest Service provided four fire engines with crews, plus another engine and crew from Kindred through a state wildland fire task force and an initial attack crew from New Mexico, to help fight multiple fires.

Two N.D. National Guard UH-60 Black Hawk helicopter left on Sunday to provide aerial support with water buckets. Nathan Rivard, of the N.D. National Guard, said one went to Mandaree and the other one to the Grassy Butte, Elkhorn and Haystack areas.

More than two dozen National Guard firefighters were also deployed on Sunday.

The Department of Emergency Services deployed an engine with two firefighters.

According to the Governor’s Office, two heavy air tankers from Montana also dumped fire retardant on the wildfire in rugged terrain north of Mandaree Saturday evening as bulldozers and motor graders continued to cut fire lines to keep flames away from the community.

In addition, emergency managers were working with industry and citizens to take necessary precautions to reduce fire risk. Power outages also were reported.

The National Weather Service had issued a red flag warning for most of western and much of central North Dakota through Saturday evening, with wind speeds of 35-45 mph and gusts of up to 75 mph expected.

In Minot, winds gusted into the 70s on Saturday. One motorist who traveled from Minot to Washburn and back that day said trying to keep a vehicle on the road due to the high winds was difficult and caused sore arms. When driving across the Snake Creek Embankment on U.S. Highway 83 on Saturday, the wind was spraying the water onto the windshield, requiring the use of the windshield wipers. The Snake Creek embankment in the Coleharbor area divides Lake Sakakawea and Lake Audubon.

Minot International Airport reported a high wind gust of 74 mph Saturday afternoon, according to the National Weather Service.

High wind gusts in the area on Saturday, according to the NWS, include: Garrison, 72 mph; Watford City, 59 mph; Stanley, 64 mph; Williston, 72 mph; Bottineau, 62 mph; and Devils Lake, 51 mph.