CARRINGTON, N.D. (NewsDakota.com) – Due to abnormally dry conditions coupled with significant fuel supplies resulting in extreme fire potential, Foster County has issued a burn ban proclamation until conditions have improved.

The Foster County Commissioners declared a fire emergency for the entire county and all incorporated cities except the city of Carrington. The burn ban will remain in effect until further notice whenever the North Dakota Fire Danger Rating is Very High or Extreme and/or a Red Flag Warning has been issued.

A local burn ban may only be issued upon a declaration of a local emergency or disaster. In order to be enforceable, a fire emergency must be declared.

The burn ban includes burning of crop land, garbage burning, campfires, unauthorized off-road motorized travel, and smoking except for in an improved area with a radius of three feet that is free of flammable debris.

Those who violate the burn ban will receive a Class B misdemeanor punishable by a fine of up to $1500 and 30 days in jail.