(Bismarck, ND) — High winds and dry conditions are sparking more red flag warnings throughout the region this week with many counties having issued burn restrictions. In North Dakota, ATVs and UTVs for recreational use are restricted in most counties right now but they are allowed for farm work. The dry conditions and strong winds are blamed for a grass fire in New Salem, ND on Wednesday. Firefighters managed to quickly contain the fire to about one and a half acres. The fire department says that with the help of a landowner and his tractor, firefighters were able to quickly contain the fire at about one-point-five acres.
The National Weather Service has Red Flag Warnings is in effect today through Friday for all of North Dakota, most of South Dakota, parts of Nebraska as well as the far western parts of Minnesota and Iowa. Winds are expected to gust between 35 and 50 mph through tomorrow and any fires that ignite will spread rapidly and become difficult to control.
