After much consideration and talk about how to proceed with using the North Dakota Rangeland Fire Index Map on the NDDES Website – which has kept our Fire Index on Moderate for the past week, the County Commissioners and Fire Districts have declared we are at a High Fire Index Rating as of today (July 6, 2017). For questions please call McKenzie County Emergency Management Karolin Jappe at 701.444.7483 or 701.580.6936.

FIRE EMERGENCY/DISASTER DECLARATION 

in regards to

WILDFIRE NEAR GRASSY BUTTE, ND

July 10th, 2017

WHEREAS, a wildfire engulfed a minimum of 5,000 acres in the Grassy Butte area of McKenzie County, ND and

WHEREAS, local Volunteer Fire Departments from Grassy Butte, Watford City, Keene, Alexander, Arnegard, McKenzie County Ambulance, McKenzie County Sheriff Office, the West Dunn County Fire Department, and the Forest Service responded to the incident and have been fighting this wildfire since July 8th, 2017; and, 

WHEREA, under N.D.C.C. 37-17.1-10, the Chairman of the McKenzie County Board of County Commissioners has the authority, as principal executive officer of the county under the statute, declare a local disaster emergency for up to 7 days;

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, that Douglas Nordby, as Chairman of the MckNenzie County Board of Commissioners, under authority of N.D.C.C. 37-17.1-10, hereby declares an emergency and/or disaster exists in McKenzie County, North Dakota due to the wildfire in the Grassy Butte area; and

FURTHER, this declaration activates the response and recovery aspects of any and all applicable local disaster or emergency operational plans and authorizes the furnishing of aid and assistance. 

DATED at Watford City, North Dakota this 10th day of July, 2017

WHEREAS, the McKenzie County has already ordered multiple Fire Emergency and Burn Bans starting with one dated April 18 th , 2017; and  
WHEREAS, McKenzie County, North Dakota has endured abnormally dry conditions compiled with high winds (currently in a drought), and several fires have already occurred as a result of these conditions; and  WHEREAS, the impact of fires, especially from the ignition of fireworks, could threaten the health, well-being, and safety of citizens in McKenzie County, and that all available resources remain committed to protecting life and property; and 
WHEREAS, the cost of response, the inordinate equipment wear, and fire damages may be far in excess of available County and Fire District resources; and 
WHEREAS, the McKenzie County Emergency Manager has consulted with various Fire Districts located within McKenzie County; and, 
WHEREAS, under N.D.C.C. 37-17.1-10, the McKenzie County Board of County Commissioners has the authority to renew or continue the Fire Emergency and Burn Ban beyond 7 days.  
 

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, that the McKenzie County Board of County Commissioners declares a continued Fire Emergency, and amends any prior Fire Emergency and Burn Bans to include a ban of ignition of fireworks, garbage burning, campfires, burning of farm or crop land, and unnecessary off-road motorized travel when ANY portion of McKenzie County is in the High, Very High, or Extreme category under the North Dakota Rangeland Fire Index, or a red flag warning has been issued for McKenzie County, or as determined to be necessary by the McKenzie County Emergency Manager. 

The daily category by the Rangeland Fire Index can be found at: http://www.nd.gov/des

Additionally, there is a complete ban on the ignition of fireworks, regardless of the North Dakota Rangeland Fire Index. Any prior Fire Emergency and Burn Bans issued by McKenzie County are rescinded and replaced by this ban. This Fire Emergency and Burn Ban will expire on October 31, 2017. 

ANY INDIVIDUAL WHO WILLFULLY VIOLATES THE BURN BAN IS GUILTY OF A CLASS B MISDEMEANOR (N.D.C.C. 37-17.1-10.1) WITH A MAXIMUM SENTENCE OF 30 DAYS IN JAIL AND A $1500 FINE. RESTITUTION OF FIRE SUPPRESSION COSTS MAY BE SOUGHT BY THE COURT. 
 

 DATED at Watford City, North Dakota this 5th day of July, 2017.