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Locally and nationally, the fire season has been long and active. North Dakota alone has seen nearly 2,400 wildfires in the state, burning more than 125,000 acres. The State Fire Marshal, North Dakota Forest Service, North Dakota Department of Emergency Services and local firefighting resources are committed to ensuring the safety and security of all who live and visit our state. For example, Governor Doug Burgum declared October 3-9 Fire Prevention Week in North Dakota. Everywhere, North Dakotas are being encouraged to do their part to prevent fires, both inside and outside the home.
Statistics from the National Fire Protection Association show that in 2019, U.S. fire departments responded to 339,500 home structure fires, which caused 2,770 fire deaths. These figures show that home fires continue to pose a significant security threat. In a typical home fire, you may have one to two minutes to escape safely from the moment the smoke detector sounds. Planning and practicing escapes can help make the most of this time, giving everyone plenty of time to get out. Residents are encouraged to ensure that their smoke and carbon monoxide alarms meet the needs of all family members, including those with sensory or physical disabilities.
There are a number of fire prevention methods that you can practice outside the home as well. Avoid parking machines and vehicles on or near dry vegetation. Make sure your equipment is properly maintained and cross chains when transporting to avoid sparks. Farmers who harvest their crops should make sure to keep their machines clean, install fire extinguishers inside and outside the cab, and know how to use them. Put out campfires and properly dispose of cigarettes. Teach your children about fire safety and obey any burning bans or red flag warnings in effect.
Local jurisdictions – city, county, or tribal – may impose burning bans in accordance with the fire danger rating, if conditions so require. To learn more about your local no-burn restrictions and your daily fire risk assessment, visit https://www.ndresponse.gov/burn-ban-restrictions-fire-danger-maps. You can also consult your local fire department or emergency management office for the most recent information regarding restrictions in your area.
For more general information on Fire Prevention Week and home evacuation planning, visit www.fpw.org. For more general information on wildfires and for interactive activities for children, please visit https://www.smokeybear.com/en.
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