State agencies are coordinating resources to combat wildfires in western ND

(KNOX) -NNorth Dakota state authorities are coordinating with local, federal and tribal firefighters and emergency responders to combat several large wildfires that are rapidly spreading across western North Dakota today due to strong winds, dry ground conditions and low humidity.

“High winds and dry conditions are creating extremely difficult firefighting conditions, and the state continues to mobilize all available resources to assist local, tribal and federal agencies in protecting life and property,” Burgum said. “We are deeply grateful to the firefighters, emergency managers and others who are working around the clock to control and extinguish these fires. The safety of our citizens is our top priority and we urge residents to remain vigilant and heed all evacuation orders and warnings.”

Several large wildfires were burning in western North Dakota this evening, including near Grassy Butte, near Johnson's Corner on Highway 73 and near Mandaree. These followed fires Friday evening and earlier today that burned thousands of acres of land, including near Arnegard, Keene and Charlson. Evacuation orders were issued in several areas and emergency shelters were set up for those displaced. No injuries were reported in these fires, but at least one home and a number of other buildings were destroyed. Fires were also reported near Garrison, Tioga and Ray, where spreading flames and smoke forced the closure of U.S. Highway 2.

After discussing wildfire response throughout the day, Gov. Doug Burgum held a virtual meeting this evening with Mandan, Hidatsa and Arikara Nation (MHA) Chairman Mark Fox and North Dakota National Guard Adjutant General Brig ., away. Gen. Mitch Johnson, state Homeland Security Director Darin Hanson, North Dakota Department of Mineral Resources Director Nathan Anderson and others to coordinate plans to continue responding to the wildfires through Sunday, when winds are expected to subside. Further suppression and elimination of the fires is expected to take several days.

According to a statewide fire emergency declaration issued Thursday by Gov. Doug Burgum, the North Dakota Forest Service, the North Dakota Department of Emergency Services and the North Dakota National Guard mobilized resources to support local, state and tribal firefighters.

The North Dakota Forest Service provided four fire engines and crews, as well as another vehicle and crew from Kindred through a state wildland fire task force and a first attack team from New Mexico to help fight multiple fires. Two North Dakota National Guard UH-60 Black Hawk helicopters will take off during daylight hours to provide air support with buckets of water, and more than two dozen National Guard firefighters will also be on duty in the morning. The Emergency Services Department deployed an engine with two firefighters.

Two heavy air tankers from Montana also dropped fire retardant on the wildfire in rough terrain north of Mandaree this evening, while bulldozers and motor graders continued to cut fire lines to keep the flames away from the community.

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

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

The emergency declaration issued by Burgum on Thursday activated the state's emergency operations plan to begin deploying resources for a rapid response to wildfires given the high fire danger in parts of the state.

Further information on current fire restrictions and fire danger maps can be found at ndresponse.gov/burn.