Drought conditions increase fire risk for ND.
Drought conditions are making many areas of North Dakota vulnerable to fires, prompting the state Forest Service to closely watch the threat level and prepare to deploy firefighting resources to areas that need help.
Ryan Melin, fire manager for the North Dakota Forest Service, said indicators that predict the potential for fire and its severity are more serious now than in previous years in June.
North Dakota Gov.
Burgum, who discussed the drought Thursday during the State Water Commission meeting, said he’s strongly encouraging all cities and counties to take a hard look at banning fireworks and open fires, something many communities have already adopted.
“We’ve got some real fire risk potentially coming,” Burgum said.
Information about current burn restrictions is available at NDResponse.gov, along with other drought information.
Burgum also ordered the formation of a unified command structure with the North Dakota Department of Emergency Services, Department of Agriculture and other state agencies to coordinate the state’s drought response.
Meanwhile, U.S. Department of Agriculture Secretary Sonny Perdue released Conservation Reserve Program acres in North Dakota for emergency grazing, Agriculture Commissioner Doug Goehring said Friday.
Burgum’s drought declaration also activated the drought disaster livestock water supply program for 26 North Dakota counties.