JAMESTOWN, N.D. (NewsDakota.com) – Following high precipitation from fall and winter 2019, it’s difficult to imagine a dry spring.

However, Stutsman County Emergency Manager Jerry Berguist says this will be the case soon.

Bergquist added that Stutsman County has been in the low to moderate fire danger ratings for the past few weeks, but just recently jumped into the high index.

Warmer weather will increase the potential for higher fire danger index ratings. Bergquist says when the index reaches very high or extreme, the Stutsman County burn ban ordinance will go into effect.

Bergquist says last fall was so wet, that farmers may be wanting to burn their fields to prepare for the spring. But heavy precipitation didn’t allow for fall burns.

He encourages farmers and those who want to control burn to keep an eye on the fire danger index, which is updated daily on the Stutsman County website.

The North Dakota Forrest Services reports that in 2019, 6,302 acres were reported as burned by wildfires in the state of North Dakota. Out of 484 wildfires, 463 were caused by humans and were preventable.

The leading causes of preventable wildfires in the state of North Dakota in 2019 were debris burning (223 wildfires started), equipment use (70 wildfires started), and smoking (22 wildfires started).

“Debris burning was the largest cause of unwanted, human caused wildfires in the state of North Dakota in 2019,” Outreach and Education Manager Aubrey Davis reports. “You are not allowed to burn on days with Red Flag Warnings or areas with burn bans. Burning during a burn ban can result in a Class B misdemeanor and up to 30 days in jail.”

If you are towing something, such as a boat, ensure that your chains are not dragging. Dragging chains can cause sparks, which can ignite a wildland fire. Also, be careful when driving on dry brush or grass. Hot exhaust pipes can also ignite wildland fires which you may not notice until it’s too late.