Governor Declares State Fire Emergency | Video

Alex Hagan | 9/5/2012

Today, Governor Jack Dalrymple declared a statewide rural fire emergency. The order applies statewide, but restrictions only apply to counties the National Weather Service indicates very high or extreme fire danger. The fire danger index released today indicates a high fire danger in western North Dakota.

Emergency Services say the drought this summer has caused several fires.

"We have a lot of dry grasses out there that if a fire started, the fuel is there to continue the fire and if the winds are flowing then of course the fire will spread very quickly," said Maj. Gen. David Sprynczynatyk with the Department of Emergency Services.

State leaders say the conditions restrict open burning, off road motorized travel, smoking, fireworks, and equipment operations at farms.

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