Burgum warns of tough fire season with drought

North Dakota Gov. Doug Burgum is warning the state is headed to a “tough fire season.” He visited Billings County, where a fire had prompted him to call a statewide wildfire emergency.
The governor says that even prior to calling the state of emergency this week, far more acres have already burned this year than all of 2020. Much of the state is in a drought. “We’re just getting started into a tough fire season.  Burgum added we are just getting into the fire season.

Firefighters are reporting 50% containment, and an estimated roughly 3000 acres burned for the grass fire near Medora, ND.  Responders are continuing to make progress on fire containment despite the difficult terrain and sustained red flag conditions.

The USDA Forest Service has issued a closure for the area affected by the wildfire. This includes the Buffalo Gap Trail from I-94 southeast to its intersection with the Maah Daah Hey Trail, and the Maah Daah Hey Trail from the National Park Boundary south to Sully Creek State Park. This order is to protect public health and safety, and is in effect until further notice.