Wildfire in North Dakota, October 5 to 6, 2024

Multiple wildfires started during the high wind event of October 5, when humidity values dropped into the teens, and winds gusted over 70 mph in many locations in the wake of a strong cold front (see the high wind Storm Data entry from October 5). Extreme fire growth occurred, and fire fighting personnel had to fight zero visibility situations from a combination of wildfire smoke and blowing dust. Many fire fighters encountered situations where fire was burning on both sides of their vehicle. There were many occasions where the primary focus became protecting yards as the fires passed by. More than 30 agencies, including local, state, and federal, were involved in the fire fighting effort.

The largest wildfires occurred in Williams and McKenzie counties. In Williams County, there was a complex of two fires, referred to as the Ray-Tioga Fire and the Highway 85 Fire. Both of these fires crossed US Highway 2, and the Highway 85 fire nearly entered the town of Ray. Nearly 90,000 acres were burned by these fires, which resulted in two deaths and eight injuries. Approximately 425 power poles needed to be replaced as a result of the fires.

In McKenzie County there were three significant wildfires and multiple other fires, resulting in over 20,000 acres burned. The first significant fire started very early in the morning when the cold front passed through, and threatened the town of Arnegard. This fire was controlled before the strongest winds occurred. Later that morning the two main fires that developed were the Haystack Fire, which later was re-named the Elkhorn Fire, and the Bear Den Fire. The Elkhorn Fire stared 13 miles southeast of Watford City, while the Bear Den Fire occurred in far eastern McKenzie County. The Bear Den Fire threatened the community of Mandaree, on the Fort Berthold Nation, which was protected by multiple airdrops of chemical fire retardant. Approximately 200 power poles in McKenzie County had to be replaced due to impact from the fires.

In total, over 270 livestock animals died from the wildfires, and around 100 miles of fence was destroyed or severely damaged. Six cattle herds suffered health impacts from the fire and smoke. Approximately 14,000 acres of pasture and rangeland were lost, 19,000 acres of cropland suffered damage, and 1,150 hay bales burned. Two farmsteads were lost along with additional buildings, approximately 30,000 bushels of stored grain was destroyed, and farm equipment including combines and tractors were burned. Multiple vehicles were lost, and many shelterbelts and windbreaks were destroyed.