(CSi)  The Barnes County Commission has extended the burn ban for Barnes County now through April 7

The ban includes the burning of leaves, grass clippings, garbage pits, construction debris, fallen trees as well as crop residue, sloughs, campfires and bonfires.

Barnes County Emergency Manager Sue Lloyd said residents can use grills and fire pits so long as there is an adult present and monitoring them and the adult ensures the fire pit and grill are completely extinguished.

(CSi) Stutsman County Emergency Manger Jerry Bergquist reminds  residents that they  need to be reminded of the open burning ordinance that limits when burning can be safely carried out. The ordinance is in effect 365 days a year. However, it restricts burning only when the Fire Danger Rating for Stutsman County is in the “VERY HIGH” or “EXTREME” categories or if a “RED FLAG WARNING” has been issued by the National Weather Service.

Violations of the open burning ordinance will be enforced. A violation is a Class B misdemeanor, for which a maximum penalty of 30 days in jail, a fine of $1,500.00 or both may be imposed.

 

Previously Posted

The Stutsman County website has the daily fire rating, today in the Very High category and includes Barnes County.

 

Jamestown Rural Fire Department (JRFD) Chief Brian Paulson reports that firefighters have responded to numerous grass fires over the past few days, due to tinder dry vegetation conditions, not only burning acreage but also stressing firefighters, and resources.

Chief Paulson reminds those   getting into the field for spring planting to take precautions to help prevent further fires in the area as high winds and dry conditions persist.

Edgeley and Jud Fire Departments were called a grass fire near Nortonville on Monday, theorized to have been caused by high wind  gusting to between 40 and 50 mph, causing a power line arc.

BISMARCK, N.D. (AP) — Strong winds and drought conditions fueled a wildfire in western North Dakota, injuring a firefighter and some livestock and damaging utility infrastructure. Officials say the fire has burned about 1 square mile north of Richardton in Stark County. Richardton Fire Chief Jason Kostelecky says smoke reduced visibility in the area to near zero at times Monday, leading to the crash of a fire truck and minor injuries to a firefighter. He says some calves in the area were injured in the fire, but the extent of those injuries aren’t known. An abandoned building burned in the blaze, as did fences, power lines and utility poles. Montana-Dakota Utilities spokesman Mark Hanson says the fire damaged five of the company’s structures, causing one to collapse.