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

North Dakota Highway Patrol investigates after vehicle crashes into school bus, driver arrested for driving under the influence amid alleged distraction by cellular device

Gov. Kelly Armstrong issues statement after federal officials decide future of Dakota Access Pipeline, says its continued operation would support affordable energy prices and national energy security

Officers and staff honored during Bismarck Police Department 2025 annual employee awards ceremony

Gov. Kelly Armstrong chosen to lead influential multi-state commission starting in 2027 after Oklahoma City vote

Bismarck Police Department swears in five new recruits during ceremony

North Dakota Highway Patrol discourages trailers and high-profile vehicles during strong winds after crash survivor survives, troopers say the occupant was saved by their seat belt

Follow us on News Break

Categories

Very strong winds fan flames of fires across state

Related posts

NDHP Vehicle Damaged in Collision on Interstate 94 in Cass County

Two men are in custody in connection with incidents that involved assault, kidnapping and forcible entry to homes

Louser charged with misdemeanor drunken driving

Florida man killed in Ward County crash

COVID-19 State of Emergency is lifted in North Dakota

Bismarck firefighters joined 9/11 Memorial Stair Climb to honor fallen first responders

Follow us on Google News

Follow us on Flipboard

North Dakota Highway Patrol investigates after vehicle crashes into school bus, driver arrested for driving under the influence amid alleged distraction by cellular device

Gov. Kelly Armstrong issues statement after federal officials decide future of Dakota Access Pipeline, says its continued operation would support affordable energy prices and national energy security

Officers and staff honored during Bismarck Police Department 2025 annual employee awards ceremony

Gov. Kelly Armstrong chosen to lead influential multi-state commission starting in 2027 after Oklahoma City vote

Bismarck Police Department swears in five new recruits during ceremony

North Dakota Highway Patrol discourages trailers and high-profile vehicles during strong winds after crash survivor survives, troopers say the occupant was saved by their seat belt