Heat is the leading weather-related killer in the United States, resulting in hundreds of fatalities each year. Heat can be very taxing on the body and can lead to heat related illnesses, like heat exhaustion and heat stroke, or can make existing health conditions worse.
It is NEVER safe to leave a child, disabled person, or pet locked in a car, even in the winter. The temperature inside a parked vehicle can rapidly rise to dangerous levels for people and pets, even if the outside temperature is below 70°F. For more information visit noheatstroke.org.
Summer can be a time of extreme fire danger. While the highest threat period for wildland fire danger in North Dakota is usually before the spring green-up and again in the fall, the threat can occur anytime of the year. Extreme heat, drought conditions, and strong winds can and have resulted in critical fire weather conditions and large wildfires during the summer months in North Dakota.
Per the ND Response Fire safety web page, the major sources of wildland fires in North Dakota include lightning, inadequate measures for controlled burns, smoking, and sparks from farm machinery and trains. Fires in areas of high fuel content, if not quickly detected and suppressed, can rapidly flare out of control, threaten lives and cause major damage to habitat, crops, livestock, wildlife, and structural property.
Critical fire weather conditions occur when there is a combination of weather conditions and dry vegetation creating the potential for rapid wildfire spread and extreme fire behavior. The weather conditions that are conducive for dangerous wildfires are warm temperatures, low humidity, and strong, gusty winds. When critical fire weather conditions are expected along with dry vegetation, the National Weather Service will issue a Fire Weather Watch or Red Flag Warning.
Wildland fires can consume hundreds or even thousands of acres in a short period of time when critical fire weather conditions occur.
The North Dakota Fire Danger Rating is issued and posted daily on the ND Response web page. The ND Fire Danger Rating provides an indication of rural fire potential by describing the conditions that reflect the potential for a fire to ignite, spread and grow, and require suppression. The Fire Danger Rating is a forecast of the potential for non-agricultural grasslands to carry fire. It is based on the temperature, humidity, wind, cloud cover, the fuel moisture of non-agricultural grasslands, and other factors. Many county and local governments implement burn restrictions depending on the wildland fire danger. Always check for local burn restrictions before burning and participating in outdoor activities. More information on local burn restrictions can be found at the ND Response web page. For more information on fire danger across the state, view the North Dakota Fire Danger Guide.
For more information on Wildland Fire Safety including tips you can take around your home, click here.
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