Fire Weather Watch in effect
The Bismarck Weather Service has issued a fire weather watch for all of west and central North Dakota for Friday from late morning through mid evening. Dry vegetation, increasing southerly winds of 15-30 miles per hour and low relative humidity will create the potential for explosive fire growth. A fire weather watch means that critical fire weather conditions are possible.
Mercer County is currently under a burn ban until further notice "due to the large amounts of dry vegetation on the ground and lack of precipitation and not foreseeing any precipitation in the near future," according to Mercer County emergency manager Carmen Reed.
The ban, established under North Dakota Century Code Section 37-17.1-10, prohibits burning of any kind. Individuals who willfully violate a burning ban established by a local order or proclamation are guilty of a class B misdemeanor, which is punishable by up to 30 days in prison, a $1,000 fine, or both. It's the second countywide burn ban of the winter.
