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Richland County approves burn ban wording change to allow U.S. Forest Service prescribed burns
Summary
The Richland County Board of Commissioners on May 5 approved an updated burn ban that removes the word "High" from the declaration so the U.S. Forest Service can conduct prescribed burns; the declaration still bans open burning when the ND Rangeland Fire Index is Very High, Critical, near Critical or Extreme.
The Richland County Board of Commissioners voted May 5 to modify the county's burn ban language to allow prescribed burns by the U.S. Forest Service while preserving restrictions during elevated fire-risk conditions. The motion to approve the updated burn ban, which removed the word "High" from the declaration, passed 4-0 (Commissioner Nathan Berseth had left the meeting before the vote).
Emergency Manager Brett Lambrecht urged the change, saying he wanted the wording removed so it would not prevent the U.S. Forest Service from conducting prescribed burns this spring. Aidan McCarty, representing the U.S. Forest Service, joined Lambrecht in outlining coordination efforts with neighboring counties' emergency managers and dispatch to ensure controlled burns are communicated and backup resources are available if a burn escapes containment.
The board's written declaration (dated April 20, 2026) continues to ban open burning ' including garbage burning, campfires and farm or crop burning ' when the North Dakota Rangeland Fire Index is in the Very High, Critical, near Critical or Extreme categories or when a Red Flag Warning has been issued for Richland County. The declaration permits certain controlled devices (gas, charcoal or wood-fired grills, patio fireplaces and chimineas, gas camp stoves, wood smokers) only when they are on hard non-organic surfaces, at least 15 feet from vegetation, and when a fire extinguisher or water is available on site.
The declaration cites North Dakota Century Code section 37-17.1-10.1 and states that violating the burn ban is a Class B misdemeanor (maximum 30 days in jail and $1,500 fine) under the cited statute. County officials said they will continue coordinating with state and federal partners and will publicize daily Rangeland Fire Index conditions at https://ndresponse.gov/burn-ban-restrictions-fire-danger-maps.
The board's action came during a routine morning meeting in which commissioners also approved other procedural matters; Emergency Manager Lambrecht and the Forest Service representative noted the change was intended to balance wildfire safety with operational needs for prescribed burns.
