A Real Good Look At The Medora Fires (VIDEO)

Our friends at KX News posted an article and video last night showing the intensity of the wildfires raging west of Medora, North Dakota.  These fires forced the closure of I-94 from Medora all the way to the Montana border.  It also forced the evacuation of the city of Medora.  The National Guard was called in to help the fight the fire with Black Hawk Helicopters.  Here's that shocking video.

Governor Doug Burgum also declared a fire emergency for the entire state of North Dakota.  Unusually high temperatures, low humidity, extended drought conditions, (for almost a year now) and very dry vegetation have all led to this declaration.  This order went into effect April 1st and will stay until it's rescinded.   According to the North Dakota Forest Service, we've already burned twice as many acres in 2021 then we did all of 2020.

The prospect of changing this trend of dry weather doesn't look, especially for the summer.  The National Weather Service is calling for a warmer and drier than average for June, July and August of 2021.

The potential exists for rapidly moving wildfires across the state, that could impact the safety of North Dakotan's, their communities and farmsteads, and may result in infrastructure, wildlife, livestock, feed and crop losses.  As well as losses to structures and miles of fences.

At the time of this article, Interstate 94 has re-opened. Interstate-94 from Beach to Belfield and the I-94 Business Loop through Medora are back open.

Another warm and breezy day is expected today across North Dakota.  The fire danger remains high and extreme caution is advised.