North Dakota governor declares fire emergency amid drought

  • North Dakota National Guard soldiers and airmen work with the Department of Emergency Services to prevent the spread of a wildfire near Mandaree on Oct. 6, 2024. Gov. Kelly Armstrong declared a statewide fire emergency Aug. 7, 2026, due to drought conditions. (U.S. Army National Guard photo courtesy of Staff Sgt. Samuel J. Kroll)
    North Dakota National Guard soldiers and airmen work with the Department of Emergency Services to prevent the spread of a wildfire near Mandaree on Oct. 6, 2024. Gov. Kelly Armstrong declared a statewide fire emergency Aug. 7, 2026, due to drought conditions. (U.S. Army National Guard photo courtesy of Staff Sgt. Samuel J. Kroll)

    North Dakota Gov. Kelly Armstrong on Friday declared a statewide fire emergency as drought conditions have spread across the state.

    North Dakota also is activating the State Emergency Operations Plan as the risk of wildfires has intensified during a hot, dry summer. The emergency declaration directs all state agencies, including the North Dakota Department of Emergency Services, North Dakota Forest…