WILDFIRES

Western North Dakota wildfire claims second victim

North Dakota National Guard soldiers and airmen worked with the Department of Emergency Services to build a handline and conducted a controlled burn to prevent the further spread of a wildfire near Mandaree, North Dakota, on Oct. 6, 2024. Gov. Doug Burgum declared a statewide fire emergency and activated the North Dakota National Guard. (U.S. Army National Guard photo by…

Wildfires continue in western North Dakota

WATFORD CITY, N.D. (KVRR-KFGO) – Authorities say more than eighteen agencies have been fighting large wildfires that began Friday across western North Dakota. Some of the fires have been contained, others continue to burn across wide areas. The Bear Den fire near Mandaree has covered 25,000 acres. The Alamo and Tioga fires in Williams County began as two but merged…

One Person Killed, One Injured in Wildfires in Western North Dakota

Courtesy: Gov. Burgum/FacebookBISMARCK, N.D. (KVRR: 8:50PM UPDATE) — FEMA has authorized the use of federal funds to help with firefighting costs for the Bear Den Fire and the Elk Horn Fire, burning in McKenzie County and on the Fort Berthold Reservation. FEMA Region 8 Deputy Administrator Katherine Fox approved the state’s request for a federal Fire Management Assistance Grant (FMAG)…

Wildfire smoke to affect Dakotas, Red River Valley Wednesday and Thursday

FARGO (KVRR) – State health officials in North Dakota and Minnesota are urging people with respiratory conditions, pregnant women, and children and older adults to limit outside activity. The smoke from wildfires in Canada and the western U.S. will move into the Red River Valley Wednesday afternoon and could linger into mid-day Thursday. People may see or smell the smoke…

Minnesota Issues Record 23rd Air Quality Alert Due to Canadian Wildfires

ST. PAUL (AP) — Wildfire smoke from Canada prompts Minnesota officials to issue a record 23rd air quality alert for much of the state through late Wednesday. Smoke from wildfires in Ontario and Quebec moved into Minnesota late Monday. Ground-level smoke is expected to linger across southern, east-central and northeastern Minnesota. The previous record for air quality alerts in the…

Smoke Returns From Canadian Wildfires and Officials Recommend Limiting Time Outside

FARGO, N.D. (KVRR) — North Dakota Department of Environmental Quality is advising residents to consider limiting time outside while smoky conditions remain. They advise people to protect their health and keep windows and doors closed until smoke levels subside. Inhaling fine particles can cause a variety of health effects including respiratory irritation and shortness of breath. It can also worsen…

Air Quality Concerns Locally As Wildfires Burn Out of Control in Parts of Canada

ALBERTA, CANADA (KVRR/FOX) — Firefighters in Alberta, Canada are dealing with out-of-control fires as a result of abnormally hot and dry weather. The wildfires have been going on for weeks and more than 10,000 people have been forced to leave their homes. There’s extensive property damage to both homes and businesses in the region. There is also a growing concern…

Smoke from Canada wildfires could aggravate health issues,

FARGO, N.D. (KVRR) — As wildfires in northwestern Canada send smoke across our region, the North Dakota Department of Environmental Quality is advising those, especially with respiratory conditions, to limit prolonged outdoor activities. The National Weather Service in Grand Forks says a cold front will drive wildfire smoke to the ground by Thursday as winds shift to the north and…