WEEKLY
Vol. 1 Issue 48 | FREE
Your Voice. Your Community. Tell Your Story.
Heroes on the frontlines
Thursday, October 10, 2024
WILLISTONGRAPHIC.COM
Wildfires ravage western North Dakota
WILLISTON GRAPHIC news@vocella.com
Amid these daunting conditions, the efforts of regional volunteer fire departments have been nothing short of heroic. From Williams County to surrounding areas, volunteers have answered the call without hesitation, risking their own safety to protect lives and homes. The following is a partial list of departments that have played pivotal roles in the firefighting efforts. Their bravery is a testament to the strength and resilience of the communities they serve. - Alamo Rural Fire Dept - Epping Rural Fire Dept - Grenora Rural Fire Dept - Ray Rural Fire Dept - Tioga Fire Dept & Ambulance - Trenton Rural Fire Dept - Wildrose Rural Fire Dept - Williston Rural Fire Dept - Crosby Rural Fire Dept - Kenmare Fire Dept - Portal Fire Dept - Lignite Fire Dept - Stanley Fire Dept - Powers Lake Fire Dept - Columbus Fire Dept - Bowbells Fire Dept - Burlington Fire Dept - Medicine Lake Fire Dept (MT) - Culbertson Fire Dept (MT) - Bainville Fire Dept (MT) - Froid Fire Dept (MT) -Williams County Highway Department -North Dakota Department of Transportation -Private industries and local residents -Mountrail-Williams Electric Cooperative
| WILLISTON GRAPHIC
AN AERIAL SHOT SHOWS JUST A SMALL EXAMPLE OF THE DESTRUCTION GRASSFIRES CAUSED OVER THE PAST WEEKEND IN WILLIAMS COUNTY | WILLISTON GRAPHIC
Communities rally to reclaim what was lost WILLISTON GRAPHIC STAFF news@vocella.com The unrelenting wildfires sweeping through western North Dakota have devastated communities, claiming lives, injuring others and leaving behind a path of destruction. While firefighters and volunteers continue to work around the clock to contain the remaining blazes, the scope of their impact has reached far beyond burned acres and damaged property. According to Williams County Emergency Manager Mike Smith, there were two fatalities and eight injuries during this week’s wildfires and nearly 90,000 acres were burned. According to the Associated Press, Johannes Nicolass van Eeden, a 26-year-old South African, died of smoke inhalation on Saturday as he was driving home to Tioga. Edgar Coppersmith, 47, of Tioga, was identified Tuesday as the second fire-related fatality after having been taken to Denver due to fire related injuries. In addition, several others have been treated for smoke inhalation and injuries resulting from firefighting efforts. Williams County Emergency Management said that there has been extensive damage to electrical infrastructure and significant loss to property. The North Dakota Highway Patrol and the Civil Air Patrol, the official auxiliary of the U.S. Air Force, have both assisted with aircraft for spotting any residual fires and assessing damage. On Oct. 8, the Williams County
Board of County Commissioners declared a local State of Emergency in response to the recent high winds and grass fires. Satellite imagery and Civil Air Patrol flight observations show that approximately 84,934 acres have burned across central and eastern Williams County between Oct. 5 and Oct. 6. An investigation into the start of the fires is ongoing. Williams County residents can contribute assessment efforts by reporting livestock and structural damage or loss through the Williams County website at www.williamsnd.com/contact-emergency-management. A press release from the Williams County Emergency Management said: “The two largest fires each covered swaths of land approximately 20 miles in length, with the first burning from 12 miles north of the intersection of Highway 85 and Highway 2 (13 Mile Corner) southeast, just past the western extent of Ray. The second main fire began northwest of Ray and burned southeast, ending just south of Tioga. Both fires crossed extensive portions of Highway 2 as the area experienced sustained winds of 40 mph and gusts up to 73 mph. The majority of fires were contained by 3 a.m. on Sunday, Oct. 6. Hotspots and smaller fires continued to burn through Sunday into Monday.” From mid-morning Oct. 5 through Oct. 6, the Williams County Dispatch Center fielded 182 calls that were 911 emergencies and. Incident Command from the Williams County Emergency Operation Center coordinated response efforts across more than 30 agencies from North
Dakota and Montana. The majority of first responders were from volunteer-based agencies. For the latest updates, including ongoing firefighting efforts and community impacts, the North Dakota Response team continues to post critical information on their Facebook page, NDResponse. Unified support The response to these wildfires has extended far beyond firefighting teams. Local oil companies have stepped in to provide essential resources, dispatching water haulers and delivering much-needed fuel to support the crews on the ground. In addition, community members have launched various fundraising efforts to assist those impacted. Several GoFundMe accounts and special donation accounts have been set up at local banks, allowing residents near and far to contribute financial support. Look for ways to help on Facebook page “Ray / Tioga Fire Recovery Network - Coordinating - Connecting - Rebuilding” The Tioga Community Center has also become a hub for donations, where everything from food and clothing to home essentials is being collected for those in need. Beyond monetary contributions, individuals have stepped up in extraordinary ways. During the height of the crisis, farmers and ranchers offered their livestock trailers to help evacuate animals from fire-threatened areas. Many have provided temporary pastures and hay for displaced livestock, ensuring that the animals are CONTINUED PAGE 4