Nov 15, 2024, 6:14 PM
Oct 7, 2024, 3:45 PM

Wildfires rage in western North Dakota, causing one death

Tragic
Highlights
  • One person died and another was critically injured due to wildfires in western North Dakota.
  • The fires, driven by severe winds and drought conditions, prompted evacuations and the closure of U.S. Highway 2.
  • Officials warn that this may be one of the worst fire situations in North Dakota's history.
Story

In western North Dakota, wildfires fueled by strong winds and dry conditions resulted in one fatality and numerous evacuations over the weekend. The fires, which affected a vast area including agricultural land and rugged terrain, were reported to be largely uncontained as of late Sunday. A 26-year-old man from South Africa died from injuries sustained in a fire near Ray, while another individual was critically injured. The wildfires prompted the evacuation of residents and the temporary closure of U.S. Highway 2. Local and state emergency services, along with federal responders and National Guard firefighters, worked tirelessly to combat the blazes. The situation was exacerbated by wind gusts reaching up to 75 mph and ongoing drought conditions across the region. Officials have indicated that this may be one of the worst fire situations in North Dakota's history, highlighting the severity of the circumstances. Governor Doug Burgum planned to assess the damage and coordinate response efforts with local officials following the weekend's events.

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