“We knew full well what we were getting into when the day started out just based on how Saturday ended. We knew we’d be waking up and it’d be less of a celebration, and more about where it’s going to start. It spread really rapidly,” Jenna Parisien, Belcourt Fire Department Public Information Officer, said.

Parisien had just returned home from her daughter’s dance recital Sunday evening to find the fire surrounding the community. She said two command centers were set up Sunday, one in Belcourt and the other at Fire Chief A.J. Laducer’s residence. The fight continued Monday, despite assistance from every other department in Rolette County, Rugby, Bottineau, North Dakota Fire Task Force and North Dakota Forestry.

Turtle Mountain Band of Chippewa Tribal Chairman Jamie Azure issued an executive order on Monday, grounding all non-emergency service drones or aerial devices. The grounding was due to Laducer enlisting the assistance of the North Dakota National Guard to fly a Black Hawk helicopter to combat the 13 fires in the area. Parisien said the Black Hawks and airplanes from Devils Lake were conducting water drops in heavily forested areas affected by the fires.

“We’re still fighting fires. They’re definitely still active. The units get spread out to different spot fires. What we’re dealing with right now is relights from the fires on Saturday and yesterday. I don’t know how many new fires necessarily we’re dealing with because they’re spot fires and spreading from embers when they relight,” Parisien said.

Submitted Photo A wildfire raged south of Rolla burning close to town causing temporary evacuation of some residents on Sunday. The wildfire was contained later that evening. Photo by Shonn LaFloe.

Parisien reported three firefighters received treatment on Sunday for heat exhaustion and dehydration, and that a mobile public health unit had been sent out to provide air conditioning and snacks to mitigate.

“They’re all exhausted, but they’re back out there today. They’re fine. They’ve rested, or they claim they’ve rested,” Parisien said.

Other fires from Sunday near Rolla were largely contained by that evening, allowing those departments to resume their focus on the Belcourt fires.

Another fire reported near New Town has also been contained, according to a social media statement from the Three Affiliated Tribes Fire Management.

According to the information, crews were able to contain about 80% of the 1,600 acres affected by the Pouch Point Fire shortly before 11 p.m. Sunday evening. Crews remained on scene of the Pouch Point Fire on Monday, and continued to address a few remaining hot spots, smoldering trees and hay bales.