Fire officials, concerned over high winds and excessively dry conditions particularly in the North West areas of the county have recommended a re-imposition of the county burn ban.  Carroll Erickson, Chair of the Ward County Commission, signed the Fire Emergency and Burn Ban Declaration this morning at 8:30 am.(a copy of the declaration is attached)  Residents are to follow the activity guidelines for stage 2 restrictions as published in the North Dakota Rural Fire Danger Guide dated April 2008. (Guide attached to this e-mail)  The Guide is available at the North Dakota Department of Emergency Services web site (http://www.nd.gov/des/).

This ban is effective for the next seven days and will expire on May 29 if not acted on by a Ward County Commission vote to continue it.

Residents are asked to remain vigilant to signs of potential fire and to report any suspected fires by calling 9-1-1.