North Dakota battles historic wildfires; latest on status and scope of all fires

BISMARCK, N.D. (KFYR) – UPDATE (10/9/24 at 1:45 p.m.): According to NDResponse.gov, here are the latest fire updates as of 1:30 p.m. Wednesday:

• The Elkhorn Fire south of Watford City:
  • Size: Estimated 22,434 acres
  • Contained: About 50%
  • Response: McKenzie County, Dunn County, North Dakota Forest Service, U.S. Forest Service, North Dakota National Guard Black Hawks, U.S. Bureau of Land Management, New Mexico Initial Attack, North Dakota Highway Patrol
  • Injuries: None reported
  • Damage: Outbuilding lost, no primary structures reported lost
• The Bear Den Fire near Mandaree:
  • Size: Estimated 11,746 acres
  • Contained: About 45%
  • Response: Three Affiliated Tribes, U.S. Bureau of Indian Affairs, North Dakota Forest Service, Department of Emergency Services engine and two firefighters, Large Airtankers from Montana, North Dakota National Guard Red Card, North Dakota Highway Patrol
  • Injuries: None reported
  • Damage: Two houses and many outbuildings have been lost
• Ray, Alamo and Tioga fires in Williams County:
  • Size: Began as two fires merged into one, estimated 88,934 acres
  • Contained: 100%, actively fighting flare-ups
  • Response: Williams County, Ward County, Divide County, Burke County, North Dakota Highway Patrol flight
  • Injuries: Two fatalities and eight injuries
  • Damage: Downed power lines, 427 poles need to be replaced, damages being assessed
• Arnegard Fire near Arnegard:
  • Size: Estimated 561 acres
  • Contained: 100%, determined extinguished at 7 a.m. Sunday
  • Response: McKenzie County, Williams County, Highway Patrol
  • Injuries: None reported
  • Damage: Outbuildings and vehicles
• Garrison Fire near Emmet:
  • Size: Estimated 830 acres
  • Contained: 100%, watching for hotspots. It was stopped 1 mile from Garrison.
  • Response: Fort Berthold, McLean County, Mountrail County, North Dakota Forest Service
  • Injuries: None reported
  • Damage: None reported
• Charlson Fire near Charlson:
  • Size: Estimated 6,000 acres
  • Contained: 100%, determined extinguished 2 a.m. Sunday
  • Response: Three Affiliated Tribes, McKenzie County, North Dakota Forest Service, Highway Patrol
  • Injuries: None reported
  • Damage: Power lines down, no additional damages reported

UPDATE (10/9/24 at 1:30 p.m.): The National Forest Service (NFS) is lending the North Dakota Department of Emergency Services (NDDES) and the National Guard scooper planes to help fight the Bear Den fire near Mandaree.

The planes began scooping water from Lake Sakakawea — nearly 1,400 gallons per haul in 10 seconds — to fight the nearly 12,000-acre fire on Oct. 8.

Air Operations Branch Director Larry Regorrah with NDDES said the planes delivered more than 100,000 gallons of water on Tuesday. The planes were deployed again on the morning of Oct. 9 after refueling in Minot.

Regorrah said it’s likely the first time planes like this have been deployed to the state.

“In my time here, this is the most aviation-intensive incident we’ve ever had,” said Regorrah.

The National Forest Service will likely lend the aircraft to the state for the rest of the week. No injuries were reported at the time of the NDDES’ last update.

UPDATE (10/9/24 at 12:50 p.m.): According to NDResponse.gov, here are the latest fire updates as of 10:24 a.m. Wednesday:

• The Elkhorn Fire south of Watford City:
  • Size: Estimated 28,434 acres
  • Contained: About 50%
  • Response: McKenzie County, Dunn County, North Dakota Forest Service, U.S. Forest Service, North Dakota National Guard Black Hawks, U.S. Bureau of Land Management, New Mexico Initial Attack, North Dakota Highway Patrol
  • Injuries: None reported
  • Damage: Outbuilding lost, no primary structures reported lost
• The Bear Den Fire near Mandaree:
  • Size: Estimated 11,746 acres
  • Contained: About 45%
  • Response: Three Affiliated Tribes, U.S. Bureau of Indian Affairs, North Dakota Forest Service, Department of Emergency Services engine and two firefighters, Large Airtankers from Montana, North Dakota National Guard Red Card, North Dakota Highway Patrol
  • Injuries: None reported
  • Damage: Two houses and many outbuildings have been lost
• Ray, Alamo and Tioga fires in Williams County:
  • Size: Began as two fires merged into one, estimated 88,934 acres
  • Contained: 100%, actively fighting flare-ups
  • Response: Williams County, Ward County, Divide County, Burke County, North Dakota Highway Patrol flight
  • Injuries: Two fatalities and eight injuries
  • Damage: Downed power lines, damages being assessed
• Arnegard Fire near Arnegard:
  • Size: Estimated 561 acres
  • Contained: 100%, determined extinguished at 7 a.m. Sunday
  • Response: McKenzie County, Williams County, Highway Patrol
  • Injuries: None reported
  • Damage: Outbuildings and vehicles
• Garrison Fire near Emmet:
  • Size: Estimated 830 acres
  • Contained: 100%, watching for hotspots. It was stopped 1 mile from Garrison.
  • Response: Fort Berthold, McLean County, Mountrail County, North Dakota Forest Service
  • Injuries: None reported
  • Damage: None reported
• Charlson Fire near Charlson:
  • Size: Estimated 6,000 acres
  • Contained: 100%, determined extinguished 2 a.m. Sunday
  • Response: Three Affiliated Tribes, McKenzie County, North Dakota Forest Service, Highway Patrol
  • Injuries: None reported
  • Damage: Power lines down, no additional damages reported

UPDATE (10/8/24 at 7 p.m.): The USDA Forest Service Dakota Prairie Grasslands (DPG) issued a National Forest System Roads closure order for areas affected by the Elkhorn Fire effective immediately to protect public health and safety.

The closure applies to all National Forest System (NFS) lands including roads and trails within the area including lands in T149N, R97W Sections 8-17, 19-35; T149N R98W Sections 26 & 35, and T148N R98W Sections 1-4, 10-12, 14 & 15 as depicted on the map below and including the following National Forest System Roads: 854, 855, 855-1, 855-3, 856, 8561, 8562, 856-20, 856-21, 856-22, 8563, 856-5, 856-7, 857, 8571, 8572, 8573, 8574, and 8575.

The road closure order will remain effective through December 31, 2024, or until rescinded.

Law Enforcement and Forest Protection officers will patrol the area.

Further information regarding this order may be obtained at the Medora Ranger District Office located at 99 23rd Ave West Suite B, Dickinson, North Dakota, (701) 227-7800, the McKenzie Ranger District at 1905 S. Main Street, Watford City, ND 58854, (701) 842-8500, and the Dakota Prairie Grasslands Supervisor’s Office located at 2000 Miriam Circle, Bismarck, North Dakota, (701) 989-7300.

UPDATE (10/8/24 at 4 p.m.): According to NDresponse.gov, here are the latest fire updates as of 3:50 p.m. Tuesday:

• The Elkhorn Fire south of Watford City:
  • Size: Estimated 28,434 acres
  • Contained: About 50%
  • Response: McKenzie County, Dunn County, North Dakota Forest Service, U.S. Forest Service, North Dakota National Guard Black Hawks, U.S. Bureau of Land Management, New Mexico Initial Attack, North Dakota Highway Patrol
  • Injuries: None reported
  • Damage: Outbuilding lost, no primary structures reported lost
• The Bear Den Fire near Mandaree:
  • Size: Estimated 11,746 acres
  • Contained: About 30%
  • Response: Three Affiliated Tribes, U.S. Bureau of Indian Affairs, North Dakota Forest Service, Department of Emergency Services engine and two firefighters, Large Airtankers from Montana, North Dakota National Guard Red Card, North Dakota Highway Patrol
  • Injuries: None reported
  • Damage: Two houses and many outbuildings have been lost
• Ray, Alamo and Tioga fires in Williams County:
  • Size: Began as two fires merged into one, estimated 88,934 acres
  • Contained: 99%, actively fighting flare-ups
  • Response: Williams County, Ward County, Divide County, Burke County, North Dakota Highway Patrol flight
  • Injuries: Two fatalities and eight injuries
  • Damage: Downed power lines, damages being assessed …