A temporary burn ban has been enacted in Grand Forks County.
The ban, which includes the city of Grand Forks and is effective immediately, extends to recreational fires, and people burning items for the purposes of disposing of them. Under the ban, trees, grass leaves and ditches may not be burned, and people must make sure to dispose of cigarette butts and other smoking devices in designated collection sites.
The ban was enacted by Grand Forks County Sheriff Andy Schneider and the county Board of Commissioners, due to several conditions that increase the risk of fire. Those conditions include temperature, wind, the lack of ground moisture and the amount of dry vegetation.
“The Grand Forks County Sheriff’s Office, along with all rural Grand Forks County Fire Departments, have been responding to several fires that have gotten out of control,” read a portion of the news release announcing the ban.
Violating the ban carries the punishment of a Class B misdemeanor, which carries the penalty of up to 30 days in jail, and a $1,500 fine per incident, in addition to fire suppression costs.
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The state fire burn ban and restrictions map can be located at www.ndresponse.gov/burn-ban-restrictions-fire-danger-maps .
