BISMARCK, N.D. – North Dakota is supporting the Nebraska wildfire fight by sending two North Dakota National Guard 600-gallon “Bambi Buckets” for aerial firefighting via the Emergency Management Assistance Compact (EMAC).
As of today, Nebraska's two largest fires are currently burning at 67% and 78% contained with a combined area of 771,110 acres.
Additionally, the North Dakota Forest Service sent an engine and three firefighters to assist crews battling the Qury Fire in South Dakota’s Black Hills.
“When our neighbors ask for help, North Dakota answers the call, just as other states have come to our aid in times of crisis,” Gov. Kelly Armstrong said. “We thank and pray for the success and safety of our firefighters and all those putting themselves in harm’s way to protect life and property from these wildfires.”
North Dakota state agencies are monitoring the situations in Nebraska and South Dakota closely and stand ready to offer support as requested through various state-to-state compacts including EMAC.
The conditions so far this year have produced significant, even historic, events across Texas, Oklahoma, Nebraska, and South Dakota. As winter recedes, these conditions can be expected to continue moving northward. North Dakota has had 58 wildland fires reported so far this year with much of the southwest experiencing periods of high fire danger.
The has already convened Fire Readiness Level calls with state agencies and partners to ensure staff and equipment are prepositioned as conditions warrant and are prepared to offer surge support as requested by local, tribal, and federal departments and agencies.
North Dakotans can mitigate the risks of wildland fire by monitoring the fire danger in your area as well as abiding local burn restrictions in place. You should always learn before you burn at NDResponse.gov/burn
For landowners considering burning piles this spring:
- Check conditions and restrictions--learn before you burn at NDResponse.gov/burn
- Burn only on days with low wind as piles can and do reignite in the wind, sometimes days later
- Create a 10-foot cleared mineral perimeter
- Create compact piles of natural debris no bigger than 4x4x4 feet
- Always keep watch over the fire as it burns
- Recheck piles days after burning to ensure embers are extinguished
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For More Information, Contact :
Beth Hill, North Dakota Forest Service
beth.hill@ndus.edu | 701-328-9948
Alison Vetter, North Dakota Department of Emergency Services
alvetter@nd.gov | 701-391-8158
Nathan Rivard, North Dakota National Guard
nathan.r.rivard.civ@army.mil | 701-333-2129