Fire index for October 6th, 2020. Photo: ND Response
JAMESTOWN, N.D. (NewsDakota.com) – The National Weather Service has issued a Red Flag Warning for Stutsman County and the entire area to go into effect today at noon and remain in effect until 8:00 p.m. this evening.
Critical fire weather conditions are expected this afternoon and evening due to gusty winds and low relative humidity.
“The issuance of the RED FLAG WARNING is a trigger for the Stutsman County Open Burning Ordinance burning restrictions to go into effect,” Stutsman County Emergency Manager Jerry Bergquist stated. ” The ordinance itself is in effect 365 days a year. However, the ordinance 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.”
Even though today’s Fire Danger Rating is in the moderate category, the issuance of the Red Flag Warning takes precedence. When burning restrictions are in effect, the ordinance dictates that NO burning is permitted within Stutsman County. This includes starting, conducting, allowing, maintaining, or soliciting any open burn activities.
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.
“This ordinance is in effect in all of Stutsman County including its incorporated cities that do not have their own open burning ordinances,” Bergquist added. “The ordinance does not include the City of Jamestown which has its own ordinances relating to burning.”
The daily Fire Danger Rating can be found either by going to the Stutsman County website at www.co.stutsman.nd.us and clicking on the green “Fire Danger” icon at the top of the page, or by calling the Stutsman County Communications Center at 701-252-1000. A full version of the burn ordinance can also be found at the County website under Departments, choose Zoning, and click on “Burn Ban Ordinance” on the left-hand side of the page.
Information regarding RED FLAG WARNINGS can be found by going to the Bismarck National Weather Service website at https://www.weather.gov/bis/#.