BISMARCK – North Dakota continues to brace for spring fire season due to lower-than-average snowpack combined with well below average spring precipitation, especially across the west and northern parts of the state. This past month was the 10th driest April on record for the Williston area, covering 131 years of National Weather Service records.

Cool mornings and dry conditions are slowing green up in parts of the state, a key indicator in wildfire seasons.

The North Dakota Department of Emergency Services continues to host Fire Readiness Level calls alongside partners including N.D. Forest Service, National Weather Service, N.D. National Guard, N.D. Highway Patrol, Civil Air Patrol, N.D. Game and Fish, N.D. Parks and Recreation, and the N.D. Fire Marshal.

Engines and personnel are prepositioned throughout the state as conditions warrant to be able to respond to local requests for aid. The N.D. Forest Service has been deployed several times throughout the spring fire season, including an extended deployment to assist with the fires burning near Dunseith.

“It was the first time I’ve ever seen a fire crown through deciduous trees,” said Hunter Noor, Wildland Fire Operations assistant fire management officer with the N.D. Forest Service. “That tells you just how dry it is up here.”

The National Weather Service issued a Red Flag warning for Friday, May 8, that impacted much of the state. The National Weather Service has indicated that dangerous conditions will likely exist early this week as well.

With the expected conditions and May also being Wildfire Awareness Month, NDDES and NDFS remind North Dakotans how to take reasonable measures to reduce the risk of starting a wildfire.

– Check current fire danger and expected fire weather conditions, and always follow any local burn restrictions in place. Before doing any burning visit NDResponse.gov/burn for information.

– Stay with burn piles until totally extinguished and cooled as piles can and do reignite in winds days later.

– Always stay off dry grass when driving a vehicle as hot exhaust pipes can be a heat source for starting a wildfire.

– Double check to ensure chains do not drag as you tow, and properly dispose of cigarettes.