Fire Departments across western North Dakota have been battling multiple fires that started Sunday, May 4. According to the Turtle Mountain Band of Chippewa Facebook page, fires began Sunday in Rolla and Belcourt. The fires in Rolla, which were predominantly grass fires, were put out by Sunday evening.
The Belcourt Fire Department has been fighting both grass and forest fires for days, and continues trying to put them out. Sundayโs wind speed was 20-23 mph with gusts to 30mph, while Monday, the wind is forecasted to be 15 to 25 mph. Volunteer fire departments from the Turtle Mountain Area, ND Forest Service, other BIA departments, and firefighters from Rugby, among others, all contributed to fighting these blazes.
According to the Mandan Hidatsa Arikara (MHA) Nation Emergency Operations Center, another fire broke out Sunday south of New Town. As of 8:45 a.m. Monday, the fire is 100% contained, but there will continue to be smoke and some burning within the containment lines for the next couple of days. Firefighters are working to extinguish the interior hotspots.
