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BISMARCK - Gov. Kelly Armstrong on Friday, Aug. 7, issued an executive order declaring a statewide fire emergency and activating the State Emergency Operations Plan, as drought conditions and the risk of wildfires have intensified across North Dakota amid hot and dry conditions in July and August.
"In just a few months we've seen ground conditions shift from lush green to tinder dry across large portions of our state, and we need to be prepared for a potentially intense wildfire season this fall," Armstrong said. "State government is committed to deploying all resources at our disposal to protect life and property in cooperation with our local, tribal and federal partners. We encourage citizens to keep updated on fire conditions and take precautions to prevent wildfires as we face these challenging conditions together."
The area of North Dakota experiencing drought conditions has jumped from less than 2% three months ago to more than 56% in the latest U.S. Drought Monitor report released Thursday. About 33% of the state is experiencing moderate drought and 23% is experiencing extreme drought, while 36% is rated abnormally dry.
Conditions are not expected to improve soon, with the National Weather Service's outlook signaling above average temperatures and below normal precipitation this fall.
Local and tribal jurisdictions across the state have issued fire declarations and restrictions in response to the worsening conditions. State resources, including the North Dakota Forest Service and state Wildland Fire Task Force, already have responded to fight wildfires this summer and will likely continue to be needed into the fall.
The emergency declaration directs all state agencies, including the North Dakota Department of Emergency Services, North Dakota Forest Service and North Dakota National Guard, to maintain high levels of readiness to combat fires. The order is effective until Dec. 1, unless extended.
North Dakotans can help prevent fires by taking the following actions:
- Always "Learn Before You Burn" by checking with your local officials for the latest information on burn restrictions and viewing fire danger maps at gov/burn.
- Burned brush piles can reignite with high winds, so careful monitoring of piles and sloughs is recommended, even if the fire appears to be out.
- Always stay off dry grass when driving a vehicle, as hot exhaust pipes can be a heat source for starting a wildfire.