Burgum requests presidential major disaster declaration for damage from historic wildfires
Gov. Doug Burgum on Thursday requested a presidential major disaster declaration to assist in recovery from historic wildfires that raged across northwest North Dakota in early October, causing damage that’s expected to exceed $8 million. The request follows an executive order Burgum issued Oct. 3 declaring a statewide fire emergency.
In a letter directed to President Joe Biden through the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), Burgum requested a major disaster be declared for the period of Oct. 5-6 for Williams and McKenzie counties. The counties of Mountrail, Ward, Dunn and Oliver were also impacted by the wildfires but didn’t sustain enough infrastructure damage to exceed the per-capita threshold for being included in the declaration request.
“These fast-spreading wildfires were unlike anything North Dakota has experienced in recent memory, claiming two lives and causing widespread damage to utilities and other public infrastructure as well as homes, land and livestock,” Burgum said. “We’re grateful to all the firefighters, first responders, farmers and ranchers who fought alongside state, tribal and federal resources to protect life and property, and we appreciate the consideration of this major presidential disaster request.”
Rural electrical cooperatives in McKenzie and Williams counties sustained damage estimated at $3.7 million during the Oct. 5-6 wildfires driven by strong winds of 50-60 mph with gusts of nearly 80 mph. Mountrail-Williams Electric Cooperative and McKenzie Electric Cooperative had sustained power outages, with reports of nearly 50 residences without power five days after the initial fire event. Mountrail-Williams Electric also reported 427 poles needed to be replaced with more than 110 linemen working on restoring power. McKenzie Electric reported approximately 200 power poles that needed to be replaced due to impact from fire.
To be eligible for a presidential declaration, counties must surpass a per-capita threshold of damage costs, which fall into one of two categories: individual or public.
“In the case of the wildfires, we easily pass the threshold for public assistance for McKenzie and Williams counties with the damages to the electrical infrastructure for the rural electrical cooperatives,” said Recovery Section Chief Justin Messner of the North Dakota Department of Emergency Services.
While wildfire damage didn’t meet the thresholds for individual assistance from FEMA, farmers and ranchers sustained significant losses, and community recovery efforts are especially important to help them in their long road to recovery.
Agricultural damages included 270 livestock mortalities; six herds suffered health impacts, with 38 livestock still missing. Approximately 14,000 acres of pasture and rangeland were lost, 19,000 acres of cropland suffered damage and 1,150 haybales burned. Fires destroyed nearly 37,000 feet of shelterbelt and damaged 110 miles of fence.
“The assessments conducted by NDSU Extension give a snapshot of the immediate agricultural impacts. However, the full extent of the impacts to crop production, forage resources and livestock is unknown,” said Miranda Meehan, Ph.D, NDSU Extension Livestock Environmental Stewardship Specialist and Disaster Education Coordinator. “It takes decades to build up genetics within beef cattle herds, and in a matter of hours, those animals and their future generations were lost. Farmers have lost large amounts of soil due to erosion, which may take decades to rebuild. Grassland production will be decreased, supporting fewer grazing animals in 2025 and perhaps beyond, depending on precipitation.”
Further damage to ag-related private property and individual infrastructure included 11 buildings, two corrals, six water tanks, 30,000 bushels of stored grain, five wooden granaries and 10 pieces of machinery and parts, including a combine.
“The fires had a significant impact to the infrastructure and the landscape in the state,” North Dakota Agriculture Commissioner Doug Goehring said. “Affected producers must now start the slow process of rebuilding and we are committed to supporting those efforts.”
Those impacted can find financial, mental and physical recovery resources at ndresponse.gov/wildfire-recovery.
Burgum accepts Golden Eagle Award from BSA Northern Lights Council
On Friday, the governor accepted the Burgum Golden Eagle Award, created this year by the Northern Lights Council of the Boy Scouts of America (BSA). The award honors active members of the community who continue to set the example of living by the Scout Oath and Law while coming from a community where Scouting was no longer available at the time they were active in the program.
"It’s an honor to receive this award and add another chapter to my Scouting career, which has positively impacted my life all the way from childhood to the Governor’s Office and now the nation’s capital," Burgum said. "Thank you to the Boy Scouts of America and all of the Scouts and Scout leaders who make this the great organization it is."
Burgum was a Scout in Troop 567 in Arthur, N.D., and his father, Joseph Burgum, was one of the leaders of the Troop while he was a Scout. Joseph Burgum tragically passed away in 1971. In 1973, there was not enough adult leadership for the Troop to continue. Gov. Burgum was on pace to become an Eagle Scout and could have earned the award if the Troop had been able to continue.
The Northern Lights Council of the BSA is a United Way agency that serves more than 10,000 youths across North Dakota, 18 counties in northwest Minnesota and two counties each in South Dakota and Montana.
Miller conducts orientation flight on B-52
Lt. Gov. Tammy Miller participated in an orientation flight Thursday on a B-52 Stratofortress from the Minot Air Force Base.
Orientation flights are hosted by the 5th Bomb Wing to provide a first-hand experience of the wing’s mission and to provide a demonstration of how they conduct the global deterrence mission.
The B-52 is a long-range, heavy bomber that can perform a variety of missions. According to the U.S. Air Force, the bomber is capable of flying at high subsonic speeds at altitudes up to 50,000 feet (15,166.6 meters). It can carry nuclear or precision-guided conventional ordnance with worldwide precision navigation capability.
Miller chairs the North Dakota Military Commission and has played a key role in the Burgum administration's efforts to make North Dakota the most military-friendly state in the nation.
Public invited to send ornaments for North Dakota State Christmas Tree
The Office of the First Lady invites artists and craftspeople to provide handmade ornaments for the North Dakota State Christmas Tree. The tree will be on display in Memorial Hall at the state Capitol starting with a tree lighting ceremony on Dec. 5.
Submitted ornaments can vary from traditional to contemporary arts. Items that are commercially produced or made from kits are not eligible. This year’s theme, "Branches of Hope," is inspired by First Lady Kathryn Burgum’s initiative to end the stigma surrounding the disease of addiction. Just as a tree’s branches extend outward, the theme symbolizes how hope reaches everyone impacted by addiction. Ornaments may reflect personal recovery journeys, support systems or community resources, showcasing how hope branches out in many meaningful ways. Designers are also free to create ornaments in any shape or medium of their choosing.
Each ornament should include the name of the person entering it, their email address and a brief one- or two-line description of the ornament, including the art form used and the special circumstances through which it was created, such as a class or senior center project.
Ornaments must be received in the Office of Management and Budget office no later than Dec. 4. The ornaments become the property of the Office of the First Lady and may be hung on the state tree in ensuing years. Mail ornaments to State of North Dakota, Office of Management and Budget, Julie Strom, 600 E. Boulevard Ave., Bismarck, N.D. 58505.
Gov. Burgum and the first lady encourage the public to join them for holiday readings, music and carols at the annual North Dakota State Christmas Tree Lighting ceremony at 5:30 p.m. Dec. 5 in Memorial Hall at the Capitol.
2024 Governor’s Photo Contest for Travel and Tourism Now Open
The North Dakota Governor's Photo Contest for Travel and Tourism is back, inviting residents to capture the beauty and excitement of our state for a chance to win cash prizes and statewide recognition. This year’s contest is a partnership between the Governor's Office, AAA of North Dakota, North Dakota Tourism and the North Dakota Council on the Arts.
“North Dakota is a state of extraordinary beauty and diverse experiences, and this photo contest is a wonderful opportunity for residents to showcase what makes our state special,” Gov. Burgum said. “We encourage everyone to participate, capture the magic of our seasons, and share their unique perspectives with the world. Let’s celebrate North Dakota’s beauty together and inspire others to discover our great state.”
This year's theme highlights North Dakota's diverse seasons, showcasing the unique appeal of our state throughout the year. Photographers can submit entries in eight categories:
- Winter Scenery & Winter Activities
- Fall Scenery & Fall Activities
- Spring Scenery & Spring Activities
- Summer Scenery & Summer Activities
The contest is open to all North Dakota residents. Photographers can submit their entries online through Instagram, the contest website, or Flickr, or by mail. The deadline for entries is Jan. 31, 2025.
Winners will be chosen in each category, with a grand prize winner receiving an additional cash prize and a free AAA membership. Winning photos will also be displayed in the State Capitol and used in promotional materials.
Full details and contest rules can be found at https://www.ndtourism.com/governors-photo-contest-entry.