Violators of Grand Forks County’s Burn Ban Face Fines, Jail Time

Rural Grand Forks firefighters are already hopping this season – thanks to extra-dry conditions around the county.

That’s why the Grand Forks Sheriff is asking county commissioners to issue a burn ban.

Firefighters responded to five different fires near Thompson, North Dakota last week.

The sheriff says dry fields and high winds pushed small burns out of control in a hurry.

“There is no green grass, it’s all dry and brown out there and it’s all left over from last fall. And with the winds kicking up it doesn’t take much,” said Grand Forks County Sheriff Bob Rost.

Rost said cigarettes and vehicles trailing tow chains and other objects that throw sparks are also risk factors while conditions remain dry.

Burn ban violators could be jailed for up to 30 days and fined more than $1,500.