UPDATED 2024 Williams County Fire Emergency and Burn Restriction
Williams County/Williston Emergency Management has updated the Williams County Fire Emergency and Burn Restriction, previously declared on February 6, 2024, to be in effect at all levels of the North Dakota Rangeland Fire Danger rating and/or when the National Weather Service has issued a Red Flag Warning.
This is a total ban on open burning including the ignition of fireworks, burning of leaves, grass clippings, garbage/pits, construction debris, fallen trees, crop residue or hay land, sloughs, and campfires/bonfires/recreation fire. Personal cooking grills may continue to be used. The area surrounding the grill/cooker must be cleared of debris, garbage and all flammables in a radius of at least 3 feet.
Agricultural burns that are necessary to ensure continued operations must be approved by the Fire Chief of the jurisdiction in which the burn is occurring. Contact information for the local fire departments can be found on the Fire Departments webpage.
Vehicles (motorized/wheeled) including pickups, cars, 4 wheelers, motorcycles and side x sides must stay on established roadways. Farmers, ranchers, and those who travel off-road for industrial/business requirements should carry fire extinguishers and normal firefighting equipment (shovels, water, etc). Smoking should only occur in designated areas or inside closed vehicles.
Williams County has experienced an active fire season, with the Williams County Board of County Commissioners recently declaring a local State of Emergency on October 8, 2024, in response to high winds and expansive wildfires in the Ray area.
The updated Williams County Fire Emergency and Burn Restriction is being implemented as part of the State of Emergency, changing weather conditions, and newly reported wildfires.
More information about the Burn Restriction and exemption and variance forms can be found on the Burning in Williams County webpage.