grassfire1Jamestown (CSi) Last week, Governor Dalrymple declared a statewide fire emergency in response to abnormally dry conditions, unseasonable temperatures and high winds. In his executive order, Dalrymple issued a burn ban for any county jurisdiction whose daily North Dakota Fire Danger Rating is designated as HIGH, VERY HIGH, or EXTREME, and/or when a Red Flag Warning has been issued by the National Weather Service. Burning is allowed only when the Fire Danger Rating is either in the LOW or MODERATE categories. The Governor’s declaration/burn ban encompasses all open burning and includes all of the counties of the state and their incorporated cities.

Jerry BerquistIn a news release, Stutsman County Emergency Manager, Jerry Bergquist says, unlike burn bans in the past that were declared by the Stutsman County Commission, the Governor’s burn ban prohibits all open burning with no exceptions. It also includes the HIGH category of the Fire Danger Rating system which leaves only the LOW and MODERATE categories that out-door burning can legally take place. And, the Governor’s declaration/burn ban packs a punch. Any individual who willfully violates the burn ban is guilty of a Class B misdemeanor (NDCC 37-17.1-10.1) punishable by a fine of up to $1000.00 and 30 days in jail.

The Stutsman County Sheriff’s Department is authorized to issue citations to violators. The Governor’s declaration/burn ban is in effect through April 15, 2015, unless rescinded or extended.

Since the burn ban started on April 1st, Stutsman County has experienced three separate grass fires on three separate days. All of them occurred on days where the Fire Danger Rating was MODERATE, meaning that burning on those particular days was allowable. A wait and see position will need to be taken as to whether or not the Governor’s declaration/burn ban will be rescinded early, expire on April 15, or be extended. If the burn ban is rescinded or expires, Stutsman County Emergency Management will be polling the area fire chiefs to find out whether or not a burn ban should be declared by the County Commission in place of the Governor’s burn ban.

If the Governor’s more restrictive burn ban is extended, it will supersede any burn ban that may be approved by the Stutsman County Commission. The fire danger rating is revised each morning and can be found by googling “ND fire danger rating” or by going to Stutsman County’s website at

http://www.co.stutsman.nd.us/ and clicking on “Fire Danger.” The daily fire danger rating can also be determined by calling the Stutsman County Communications Center at 701-252-1000 and asking for the daily fire danger rating. Any questions or comments relating to the Governor’s declaration/burn ban should be directed to the Stutsman County Sheriff’s Office or the Stutsman County Emergency Manager