BISMARCK, N.D. — Wildfires fueled by strong winds and dry conditions wreaked havoc in western North Dakota over the weekend, resulting in one fatality and the evacuation of over 100 residents. Authorities anticipate that the region’s severely dry conditions will persist.
Officials reported six major wildfires, with four nearly or completely contained as of Monday. Downed power lines are suspected of starting some of the blazes.
These fires spread across a vast area of North Dakota’s oil fields, affecting agricultural land, grasslands, and the rugged Badlands. Wind gusts recorded over the weekend reached between 57 mph and 75 mph in western and central North Dakota, with much of the area classified under drought conditions by the U.S. Drought Monitor.
The Elkhorn Fire near Grassy Butte has burned 44 square miles and is 20% contained, while the Bear Den Fire near Mandaree, covering 18 square miles, remains uncontested, according to the state Department of Emergency Services.
Ryan Melin, the North Dakota Forest Service Fire Manager, acknowledged the ongoing challenges, stating, “We know that we’re probably here until it snows. That’s the honest-to-God truth that no one wants to hear.”
On Sunday, the Williams County Sheriff’s Office reported the death of 26-year-old Johannes Nicolaas Van Eeden from South Africa during a significant fire near Ray. The sheriff’s office is investigating the circumstances surrounding his death.
Another individual has been critically injured, according to authorities.
The warm, dry weather pattern in western North Dakota is expected to continue until at least Thursday, but gusty winds of up to 30 mph are anticipated later in the week, as noted by a National Weather Service meteorologist.
The Bear Den Fire has resulted in the loss of at least two homes and numerous outbuildings. Damage from other blazes includes downed power lines and destroyed vehicles. Currently, there are no active evacuation orders.
Assessments on livestock losses are ongoing, with farmers and ranchers taking time to evaluate the situation. Officials from the North Dakota Stockmen’s Association suggest it could take weeks or months to fully understand the impact of the fires due to the extensive area affected.
Governor Doug Burgum visited the fire-impacted regions and remarked that Saturday might be recorded as one of the worst fire days in North Dakota’s history based on the land burned.
The North Dakota Forest Service reported a total of 33 fires over the weekend, covering 77 square miles. This count does not include large fires around Ray, Tioga, and Alamo that merged into one larger fire, which size is still being assessed.
“Unfortunately, we could be at this for a while because of the conditions we have,” Burgum added.
In the Arnegard area, 80 to 100 people were ordered to evacuate following a 700-acre fire that ignited from a downed power line. Emergency management reported that approximately 35 individuals used a makeshift shelter for the night.
Firefighters in the Arnegard fire response faced wind gusts of up to 73 mph, forcing some initial units to retreat as flames overtook their positions. The fire chief described the blaze as “the fastest, most aggressive grass fire that I have ever been on” in his 27-year firefighting career.
Firefighters battled 50-foot flames and credited the collaborative response from various local fire departments, county officials, and residents.
The aftermath of the fire has left devastated landscapes, while driving conditions were compared to a blizzard but filled with ash, smoke, and dust.
Many oil companies in the region have ceased flaring natural gas during this dry period. Estimates from Mountrail-Williams Electric Cooperative indicate that around 370 power poles were damaged, leaving 315 customers without power as of Monday afternoon.
Local, state, tribal, and federal responders, along with National Guard firefighters and teams from Montana and New Mexico, are actively involved in combatting the wildfires.
