Jamestown (CSi)   Stutsman County Emergency Manager Jerry Bergquist says Stutsman County Commission Chairman, Mark Klose Tuesday  signed a drought emergency declaration for Stutsman County.

Bergquist says, the intent of the declaration is to document to the State of North Dakota and to the public the extent of the worsening dry conditions.  Since early spring, Stutsman County has experienced very limited rainfall with some areas of the County approaching six inches below average precipitation.  Lack of rainfall has severely stressed or damaged pasture land and crops, along with feed and water supplies for livestock.

The declaration also takes into account the heightened potential for rural fires and the adverse economic impacts on Stutsman County’s agribusiness.  The dry conditions constitute an eminent threat of unrecoverable losses, damages and hardship to the local economy where recovery is no longer possible for the 2017 growing season.

According to state law, the drought declaration signed by Commissioner Klose can only remain in effect for seven days without approval by the entire County Commission. The continuation of the declaration will be discussed at the regular meeting of the Stutsman County Commission on Tuesday, August 1st.

An aerial photo of the burned area was taken by Medina Fire Chief, Brian Rau.

The fire started as a result of normal haying operations and burned approximately 170 acres.

Stutsman County has not yet been in the Very High and/or Extreme Fire Danger Ratings.  But, Bergquist says,for anyone haying CRP, it would be a good idea to have firefighting tools on hand such as water and a shovel etc.