Governor Burgum declares a statewide fire emergency

(KNOX) – Governor Doug Burgum has signed an executive order declaring a statewide fire emergency and activating the State Emergency Operations Plan to pre-position resources for a rapid wildfire response.

Nearly 3,500 acres have burned in North Dakota in the last week alone across 67 reported fires.

All state agencies, including the North Dakota Department of Emergency Services, the North Dakota Forest Service and the North Dakota National Guard, are on orders to maintain high levels of readiness to combat fires.

The declaration allows the state’s adjutant general to activate North Dakota National Guard members, including helicopter pilots and those trained in fighting wildfires, to be prepositioned to fly as needed.