(KNOX) – Governor Doug Burgum has asked for a presidential major disaster declaration to help the recovery from historic wildfires in northwest North Dakota in early October.
Damage is expected to exceed $8 million.
The request follows an executive order Burgum issued earlier declaring a statewide fire emergency.
In a letter to President Biden through FEMA, Burgum requested a disaster declaration for Williams and McKenzie Counties.
Mountrail, Ward, Dunn and Oliver Counties were also affected but don’t qualify for federal assistance.
Mountrail-Williams Electric Cooperative reported that 427 poles needed to be replaced with more than 110 linemen working to restore power. McKenzie Electric Cooperative had to replace about 200 poles.


Valley Senior Living on Columbia in Grand Forks Among The Best in North Dakota
(File image) (KNOX) - Valley Senior Living on Columbia has been recognized as a Best Nursing Home for 2026 by U.S. News & World Report. This ranking places Valley on Columbia as one of five nursing homes in North Dakota to receive this designatio...
55m ago

Grand Forks Business Leaves with Unpaid Debt to City
(KNOX) - A Grand Forks tech company that owes the city thousands of dollars in unpaid rent and loans is leaving. Thread, previously known as Airtonomy, is leaving the HIVE business incubator after roughly five years. Thrive owes at least $4000 in unp...
Dec 11, 2025

North Dakota Cleared to Eliminate Some Foods from SNAP Eligibility
(North Dakota Monitor) - North Dakotans receiving federal food assistance will not be able to use those benefits to pay for candy, soda and some other foods, after the state implements changes approved by the Trump administration. The U.S. Department...
Dec 11, 2025

City Leaders Discuss Homeless Population During Winter Weather
(KNOX) - City leaders are discussing an apparent shift in the pattern of where homeless people dwell during the winter months. Leaders went over the issue at a meeting of several entities Wednesday, among them law enforcement and non-profit organizat...
Dec 11, 2025





