County News
2025 BURN RESTRICTIONS
Posted 3/11/25 (Tue)
2025 FIRE EMERGENCY BURN RESTRICTIONS
for
MCLEAN COUNTY, NORTH DAKOTA
March 11, 2025
WHEREAS, McLean County, North Dakota has and is expected to continue to endure periods of dry conditions with significant vegetative fuels available; and
WHEREAS, all available resources remain committed to protecting life and property; and
WHEREAS, McLean County, has either sustained or been threatened with rural fires in the past and McLean County Emergency Management Office has consulted with local fire departments; and
WHEREAS, the impacts of fires could threaten the health, well-being, and safety of the citizens in McLean County; and
WHEREAS, the cost of emergency response, inordinate equipment wear/tear and the fire damages could exceed available McLean County resources; and
WHEREAS, McLean County, wishes to regulate activities within McLean County, which pose a potential hazard for such loss, should the present weather conditions continue.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, that the Board of McLean County Commissioners declares a Fire Emergency and Automatic Burn Restriction effective when the North Dakota Rangeland Fire Danger Rating is Very High, Extreme and/or a Red Flag Warning has been issued for McLean County, North Dakota, effective immediately through December 31, 2025.
What’s Included (when the ND Rangeland Fire Danger Rating is Very High, Extreme and/or a Red Flag Warning)
No Open Burning: includes burning of leaves, grass clippings, garbage/pits, ignition of farm or crop residue/land, hay land, sloughs, construction debris, fallen trees, fireworks (ground & aerial) and campfires/bonfires/recreational fires.
What’s Excluded
Controlled Devices: only when device(s) (gas, charcoal, wood-fired/pellet grills, patio fireplaces and chimineas, gas camp stoves, and smokers/pellet grills) is/are on a hard, non-organic surface and 15’ away from vegetation and an extinguisher or water is available on site.
ANY INDIVIDUAL WHO WILLFULLY VIOLATES THIS BURN RESTRICITION IS GUILTY OF A CLASS B MISDEMEANOR (NDCC 37-17.1-10.1; MAXIMUM SENTENCE OF 30 DAYS IN JAIL AND A $1,500.00 FINE), AND RESTITUTION OF FIRE SUPPRESSION COSTS MAY BE SOUGHT FROM THE COURT. THE MCLEAN COUNTY SHERIFF’S DEPARTMENT IS AUTHORIZED TO ISSUE CITATIONS TO VIOLATORS.
Burning is Prohibited if the Fire Index is in Extreme Category as Issued by NWS (ND Administrative Code – Title 33.1 Article 15 Chapter 4)
The North Dakota Rural Fire Danger Guide is posted on the McLean County website: www.mcleancountynd.gov or residents can contact the McLean County Sheriff’s Office at 701-462-8103.
DATED at Washburn, North Dakota this 11th day of March, 2025.
