According to a press release from the USDA Forest Service, local firefighters are preparing for a busy spring fire season. Since January, across North Dakota, firefighters have responded to 64 wildfires consuming 21,514 acres, a major increase from the reported 11,584 total acres burned in 2020.

“We are partnering with Local, State, and Federal fire agencies to ensure quick response and a coordinated attack of new wildfires. Firefighters can’t do it alone” says US Forest Service Fire Management Officer, Justin Kincaid. “The public plays a valuable role in wildfire prevention, and we ask for everyone’s help.”

I'm still seeing people throwing out lit cigarettes out of cars if you can believe that.  I actually stopped and put out a small fire in the ditch because of that.  More on that Monday.

The North Dakota Forest Service reported 518 human caused wildfires in 2020. All human caused wildfires are preventable by following a few simple fire prevention measures and staying up to date on local weather forecasts and conditions.

You can do your part to mitigate the start of a wildland fires by doing the following:

Ensuring your agriculture and recreation equipment is properly maintained.  Traveling only on designated roadways and avoid driving on dry brush or grass.  Being extremely cautions if burning debris and follow guidelines set by local Counties and the North Dakota Department of Environmental Quality.  Here's a map of burn-ban restrictions counties in North Dakota.   CLICK HERE!  Carrying a shovel, extra water, and fire extinguisher when target shooting.  Recreating responsibility and contacting your local public land office for a list of current conditions, restrictions, and closures.


 

LOOK: The most expensive weather and climate disasters in recent decades

Stacker ranked the most expensive climate disasters by the billions since 1980 by the total cost of all damages, adjusted for inflation, based on 2021 data from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA). The list starts with Hurricane Sally, which caused $7.3 billion in damages in 2020, and ends with a devastating 2005 hurricane that caused $170 billion in damage and killed at least 1,833 people. Keep reading to discover the 50 of the most expensive climate disasters in recent decades in the U.S.

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