1 killed, another critically injured in western North Dakota wildfires

The fires prompted evacuations and caused at least one death and one critical injury in northwest North Dakota.

Johannes Nicolaas Van Eeden, 26, of South Africa, died from injuries attributed to a fire in the Ray area in northwest North Dakota, the Williams County Sheriff’s Office said. Another person with a critical injury has been transported for medical care, the agency said.

Gov. Doug Burgum in a statement late Saturday said strong winds and dry conditions were creating “extremely challenging firefighting conditions.” The state mobilized resources to assist local, tribal and federal agencies in protecting lives and property, he said.

“We’re deeply grateful for the incredible heroics of the firefighters, emergency managers and others working around the clock to control and extinguish these blazes,” Burgum said. “The safety of our citizens is our top priority, and we urge residents to remain vigilant and heed all evacuation orders and warnings.”

On Sunday, the North Dakota Department of Emergency Services credited fire crews for working overnight to save the town of Mandaree from the Bear Den fire, estimated to have burned over 25,000 acres.

As daylight broke Sunday, two National Guard Black Hawk helicopters joined firefighting teams on the ground at both the Bear Den fire near Mandaree and the Elkhorn fire near Grassy Butte, the department said.

“I’ve fought fires for 27 years across the nation, including international, and can honestly say I’ve never seen anything like this,” Fire Manager Ryan Melin of the North Dakota Forest Service said in a statement.

Wildfires also were reported in the areas of Arnegard, Keene, Charlson, Johnsons Corner in McKenzie County, Garrison, Tioga and Ray, according to the governor’s office. Evacuation orders were issued in several areas and temporary shelters were provided for people who were displaced. Power outages were reported in some areas.

Burgum on Thursday had declared a statewide fire emergency, mobilizing resources from the North Dakota Forest Service, North Dakota Department of Emergency Services and the North Dakota National Guard. The declaration cited above-average temperatures, high winds, low humidity and dry vegetation that combined to create dangerous conditions.

On Saturday, crews struggled to control the size and scope of the flames, the Department of Emergency Services said. The National Weather Service reported wind gusts as high as 78 mph on Saturday.

“This may go down in history as one of the worst combined fire situations in North Dakota history,” North Dakota Adjutant General Mitch Johnson said in a statement.

Wind speeds had diminished by Sunday.

“Yesterday we were on defense, but today we’re on offense,” Johnson said Sunday.

Burgum and Johnson are scheduled to tour damaged areas on Monday.

Members of the public are urged to call 911 right away if they see smoke.

Burn restrictions are in place due to the dry conditions. Current conditions can be found at https://NDResponse.gov/burn.

Lost or found cattle can be reported to the North Dakota Stockmen’s Association to cward@ndstockman.org or jellingson@ndstockmen.org or by calling 701-223-2522.

This was updated at 4:45 p.m. Oct. 6 with additional information from the North Dakota Department of Emergency Services.