Central ND News

North Dakota is preparing for an early and extended spring fire season due to ongoing drought conditions. According to Meteorologist Megan Jones from the National Weather Service in Bismarck, "We’ve seen severe to extreme drought through the winter across western North Dakota, and moderate drought along the southern and southeastern portions of the state." The lack of significant snowpack has left vegetation like grasses standing, making them more susceptible to burning. Dry fuels, low humidity, strong winds, and warm temperatures contribute to fire weather conditions.

In response to these threats, officials from the North Dakota Department of Emergency Services have initiated Agency Fire Coordination meetings earlier than usual. These meetings involve several agencies including the ND Forest Service, ND State Fire Marshal, ND National Guard, National Weather Service, Civil Air Patrol, ND Game and Fish, and ND Parks and Recreation.

With warmer weather expected over the weekend encouraging outdoor activities such as farming and recreation, fire prevention remains a priority. Residents are advised to "learn before you burn" by checking current fire danger levels at NDResponse.gov/burn. It's important to monitor burned brush piles as they can reignite with high winds. Additionally, driving on dry grass should be avoided since hot exhaust pipes can ignite wildfires.

The public is urged to follow the 'Ready, Set, Go!' protocol:

- Ready: Be prepared by signing up for local alerts and creating an emergency plan.

- Set: Stay alert and prepare for possible evacuation.

- Go!: Evacuate immediately if necessary without hesitation.

State agencies are collaborating with BSC to offer a Wildland Firefighting Course in April. Due to a high demand for wildland firefighters in North Dakota this year, the course cost is subsidized by the North Dakota Forest Service.

For further information regarding fire preparedness or firefighting courses:

Contact Alison Vetter at NDDES via (701) 391-8158 or alvetter@nd.gov; Beth Hill at NDFS via (701) 328-9948 or beth.hill@ndsu.edu; or reach out to NWS offices in Bismarck at (701) 250-4224 or Grand Forks at (701) 772-0720.