News

Bottineau County is in a burn ban

By Scott Wagar

04/28/2015

In recent weeks, a number of fires have taken place in Bottineau and the surrounding areas of the County. Due to the dry weather, and the number of fires that have taken place in the county and state Gov. Jack Dalrymple has placed a burning ban throughout the state, in hopes to prevent any dangerous fires that could take place due to the volatile fire environment in North Dakota.

“By the authority vested in me, do hereby amend and extend Executive Order 2015-02 for the entire state of North Dakota to include the Tribal Nationals within the state,” Dalrymple declared in a press release. “I order a statewide burn ban to continue for areas in the North Dakota Fire Danger Rating designated as High, Very High or Extreme, and/or when a Red Flag Warning has been issued for an area. This burn ban prohibits controlled burns in those designated areas.

“Additionally, burning will be allowed in designated areas with a Low to Moderate Fire Danger Rating upon approval of the local fire response authority who has jurisdiction over the designated area,” Dalrymple said. 

“I ordered total utilization of the North Dakota State Emergency Operations Plan in response to the situation, assist local and tribal officials alleviate to limit hardships and impacts of the emergency. I authorize the Adjutant General to activate and make available North Dakota National Guards resources in support of local and tribal governments based upon normal cost share agreements,” he continued.

According to Eric Nostdahl, fire chief for the Bottineau Fire Department, Bottineau County is in a moderate fire rating, which means that before anyone in the county can burn they have to receive permission from the Bottineau Fire Department.  

Nostdahl added that the Bottineau County Commissioners have declared a fire emergency and placed an automatic burn ban in Bottineau County.

An automatic burn ban includes fireworks, garbage burning and campfires along with control fires. 

Nostdahl also said that individuals who are caught breaking this ban can be arrested on a Class B Misdemeanor, which has a maximum penalty of 30 days in jail and a $1,000 fine. 

At the present moment, the governor’s order will end on April 30, unless the order is extended or rescinded.

The burn ban in Bottineau County will continue until the commissioners give notice on the matter.

For daily reports on the burn ban, go to http://www.weather.gov/bis/fire.