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Fire chief reports prescribed burn that sent smoke into Industrial Park; commissioners debate future approvals
Summary
Williston Fire Chief Corey Johnson said a June 1 prescribed burn to clear vegetation for a golf-course expansion met operational objectives but produced smoke that affected businesses in the Industrial Park; commissioners asked for tighter approval steps and clarified that staff will seek prior commission approval for future burns.
A prescribed burn conducted June 1 to clear overgrown vegetation for a golf-course expansion in Williston sent smoke into the nearby Industrial Park, prompting concerns from city commissioners and outreach to affected businesses.
Fire Chief Corey Johnson told the Board of City Commissioners that the Williston Fire Department worked with the Parks and Recreation District and a contracted, certified Burn Boss to develop and execute a preburn plan. "The burn met all objectives and met the project's needs," Johnson said, adding that nine personnel—mostly off-duty staff—participated and that the exercise provided wildfire-tactics and incident-management training.
Johnson said weather forecasts initially indicated vertical smoke rise in the morning, but conditions changed after crews began operations and smoke was blown toward the 2300 block of 50th Street West. He reported impacts including business delays, odors inside vehicles and "smoke staining on at least one building," and said WFD personnel contacted owners directly and that the city is initiating the claims process in coordination with administration and finance.
Commissioner Bervig praised the department's preparation: "You did everything you could have to have made it go smoothly. You were very thorough, and you can’t change the weather." Commissioner Bekkedahl urged caution for future burns, saying, "I just hope we don’t do any prescribed burns in town anymore. Especially where the city assumes all the liability in the process." Chief Johnson acknowledged the concern and confirmed that next time he will seek commission approval before proceeding.
Administrator Shawn Wenko told the board the fire chief had reached out to administration and received approval to proceed for this burn but said the city can "adjust the policy" to require different or additional approvals going forward.
The board did not take a formal vote on changing the burn approval policy during the meeting. Commissioners said they would consider updated procedures and formal approval steps for any future prescribed burns that might affect nearby commercial areas.
