Jamestown Rural Fire Department sees record numbers of grass fires

Image courtesy of National Park Service (NPS)

The Jamestown Sun reports that The Jamestown Rural Fire Department has responded to eight grass fires in the past three weeks amid concerning dry conditions, reports Fire Chief Brian Paulson. Five fires were accidentally started by individuals. Stutsman County’s fire danger rating is currently “high,” with drought conditions spreading eastward across North Dakota. The department already exceeded last year’s first-quarter grass fire totals. Officials attribute increased fire risk to this winter’s minimal snow cover, which left prairie grasses upright and dry. Paulson urges residents to check the county website for fire danger ratings before burning, notify authorities about controlled burns at 252-1000, and keep fire extinguishers handy until significant rainfall arrives.