By Aubrey Davis

BISMARCK, N.D. (NewsDakota.com) – Today, many counties in North Dakota have very high or high fire danger or according to the Fire Danger Map.

The Fire Danger Rating is issued by the Missoula Fire Sciences Laboratory daily around 6:00 AM for each of North Dakota’s 53 counties.

This Fire Danger Rating is issued once each day. The Fire Danger Rating is a forecast of the potential for non-agricultural grasslands to carry fire. It provides an indication of fire potential for grasslands, including its ability to spread. The rating contains five levels: Low, Moderate, High, Very High, and Extreme. Should a fire ignite, it is more likely that it would grow or spread during higher rating days. Many burn bans have also been issued across the state.

To see current burn bans and check the daily Fire Danger Rating Map, check the NDResponse website at https://ndresponse.gov/burn-ban-restrictions-fire-danger-maps.

State Forester Tom Claeys said, “North Dakotan’s have responded to periods of elevated fire danger and Red Flag warnings by being careful with fire.  We ask that everyone continue to monitor fire weather and check local burning restrictions by going to NDResponse.gov.”

High fire danger means that all fine dead fuels ignite readily and fires start easily from most causes. Unattended fires are likely to escape. Fires spread rapidly and short-distance spotting is common. High-intensity burning may develop on in concentrations of fine fuels. Fires may become serious and their control difficult unless they are suppressed successfully while small.

Very high fire danger means that fires start easily from all causes and, immediately after ignition, spread rapidly and increase quickly in intensity. Spot fires are a constant danger. Fires burning in light fuels may quickly develop high intensity characteristics such as long-distance spotting and fire whirlwinds when they burn into heavier fuels.

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. 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). The North Dakota Forest Service would like to remind you of your responsibility to prevent unwanted wildfires and what you can do to help.

Remember ABC – Always Be Careful with fire.