Burn ban in effect for all of Eddy County

A burn ban is effective for all of Eddy County beginning today, March 22. The Eddy County Commission put the ban in place at a 9:45 a.m. meeting this morning.

The full text of the ban is below.

FIRE EMERGENCEY DECLARATION AND BURN BAN PROCLAMATION

FOR EDDY COUNTY

EFFECTIVE MARCH, 22, 2021

WHEREAS, Eddy County is experiencing abnormally dry conditions coupled with significant fuel supplies , high

winds and low humidity resulting in an extreme fire potential; and

WHEREAS, several rural fires have already occurred as a result of the conditions; and

WHEREAS, all available resources remain committed to the protection of life and property; and

WHEREAS, the existing conditions make fires a continuing threat to the health, safety and well-being of the

citizens of Eddy County; and

WHEREAS, the cost of emergency response and inordinate wear on fire-fighting equipment may be far in excess of available county resources; and

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the Board of Eddy County Commissioners declares a fire emergency for all of Eddy County including all of its incorporated cities; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the board of commissioners proclaims that a Burn Ban is in effect until further notice, whenever the North Dakota fire danger rating is Very High or Extreme and/or a Red Flag Warning has been issued of Eddy County and a local burn ban may only be issued upon a declaration of a local emergency or disaster pursuant to N.D.C.C. 37-17.1-10. In order for it to be enforceable, a fire emergency would have to be declared and within that declaration a burn ban or restrictions can be outlined.

The Burn Ban encompasses all of the county's incorporated cities. The Burn Ban included; burning of crop land, garbage burnings, campfires, unauthorized off-road motorized travel and smoking, except for in an improved area with a radius of three (3) feet that is free of flammable debris.

ANY INDIVIDUAL WHO WILLFULLY VIOLATES THIS BURN BAN IS GUILTY OF A CLASS B MISDEMEANER (NDCC 37-17.1-10.1) PUNISHABLE BY A FINE OF UP TO $1,500.00 AND 30 DAYS IN JAIL. THE EDDY COUNTY SHERIFF'S DEPARTMENT IS AUTHORIZED TO ISSUE CITATIONS TO

VIOLATORS.

The burn ban / fire restrictions will be rescinded when fire danger conditions have improved and/or previously diminished fire response capabilities have been restored and has been voted on by the Eddy County Commission.

Dated this 22nd day of March, 2021 at New Rockford, North Dakota.

Glenda Collier, Chairperson

Eddy County Commission