Very strong winds fan flames of fires across state

MINOT, N.D. – Very strong winds and very dry conditions create ideal conditions for wildfires. Minot and other places in North Dakota experienced both Monday evening.

About 8:50 p.m. crews from three of Minot’s four fire stations responded to a fire south of the Minot Airport. Winds at the time were gusting around 60 miles per hour and flames were spreading rapidly. An immediate concern of firefighters was that the fire was in close proximity to several homes on the edge of the city.

“We attacked the fire near the homes first and then mopped it up,” said Jason Babinchack, Minot Fire Department battalion chief. “It was sparking electrical lines that caused the fire.”

No homes were damaged but a few acres of grassland were burned. The fire, other than a few flare-ups due to the high winds, was out about 9:15 p.m.

Other fires in the state Monday included a 500 acre blaze north of Richardton and one that burned on a nearly four-mile front on the Spirit Lake Reservation near Devils Lake that caused the evacuation of several homes. Residents were allowed to return to their homes about 1 a.m. Tuesday. Both fires were contained without any injuries reported.

In neighboring South Dakota the Mount Rushmore National Memorial was forced to close due to a wildland fire that spread onto the memorial grounds. Another fire of note was located near Crookston, Minn., where it was reported that aerial tankers were used to help contain a rapidly growing blaze.

The National Weather Service had issued a Red Flag Warning for much of North Dakota Monday and continued the warning for a large portion of southwest North Dakota Tuesday. Virtually all of the remainder of the state was under a Wind Advisory through Tuesday evening due to relative humidity as low as 20% and winds predicted to gust up to 45 mph.

Peak wind gusts reported in the state Monday included 79 mph near Mott, 70 mph at Williston, 69 at Dickinson, 63 mph at Minot and Bismarck, 58 mph at Tioga, Stanley, Garrison and Hazen, and 56 mph at Rugby.

Very strong winds fan flames of fires across state

Follow us on Google News

Follow us on Flipboard

Trending Slider

NDHP troopers respond to wrong-way DUI crash, say a “split-second and another driver’s quick reaction” prevented a potentially much more serious outcome

North Dakota Highway Patrol cites driver speeding over twice the limit, who said they were speeding because they were trying to get to a store before it closed

North Dakota Gov. Armstrong joins President Trump to launch a historic chapter in the state’s ties to the nation’s 26th president by opening Theodore Roosevelt Presidential Library

Bismarck Airport welcomes President Donald Trump during inaugural flight of new Air Force One

Bismarck reminds residents of free downtown parking as new construction project begins

Bismarck Police Department Youth Bureau partners with Dream Center Bismarck for day of service

Follow us on News Break

Categories

Very strong winds fan flames of fires across state

Related posts

West Fargo VFW recognizing their Vietnam veterans for their sacrifice

What’s All The Commotion Going On At Bismarck Airport?

A longtime firefighter announced he will retire after a lengthy career with the Minot Fire Department

North Dakota DOT revises Bismarck/Mandan chip seal project plan to reduce traffic impact

Missouri River Near Bismarck to Start Icing Again as Temperatures Drop

City of Bismarck employee claimed the top score in winning the overall title at the 11th Annual Equipment Operator Roadeo

Follow us on Google News

Follow us on Flipboard

NDHP troopers respond to wrong-way DUI crash, say a “split-second and another driver’s quick reaction” prevented a potentially much more serious outcome

North Dakota Highway Patrol cites driver speeding over twice the limit, who said they were speeding because they were trying to get to a store before it closed

North Dakota Gov. Armstrong joins President Trump to launch a historic chapter in the state’s ties to the nation’s 26th president by opening Theodore Roosevelt Presidential Library

Bismarck Airport welcomes President Donald Trump during inaugural flight of new Air Force One

Bismarck reminds residents of free downtown parking as new construction project begins

Bismarck Police Department Youth Bureau partners with Dream Center Bismarck for day of service