Williams County Declares State of Emergency After Devastating Grass Fires

In response to the destructive grass fires that swept through central and eastern Williams County over the weekend, the Williams County Board of County Commissioners has declared a local state of emergency. The fires, fueled by high winds, have scorched nearly 89,000 acres and left the community in need of urgent recovery efforts.

Estimates from satellite imagery and observations by the Civil Air Patrol indicate that approximately 88,934 acres burned between Saturday, October 5, and Sunday, October 6. Two massive fires, each covering roughly 20 miles, were the primary sources of destruction. One fire originated 12 miles north of the intersection of Highway 85 and Highway 2 (13 Mile Corner), burning southeast just past Ray. The second fire started northwest of Ray and moved southeast, eventually ending south of Tioga. These fires crossed significant stretches of Highway 2, worsened by sustained winds of 40 mph and gusts reaching up to 73 mph.

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Emergency services worked tirelessly to contain the fires, which were largely under control by 3 a.m. on Sunday, October 6. However, hotspots continued to flare up throughout Sunday and into Monday, October 7. Williams County Emergency Management urges residents to report any new fires immediately by calling 9-1-1.

During this two-day period, the Williams County Dispatch Center fielded an overwhelming 636 calls for service, including 182 emergency 9-1-1 calls. To tackle the widespread fires, over 30 agencies from both North Dakota and Montana coordinated response efforts under the Williams County Emergency Operation Center's Incident Command. Many of these agencies were volunteer-based, highlighting the community-driven nature of the response.

Local agencies, including the Ray Fire Department, Tioga Volunteer Fire Department, Williston Fire Department & EMS, Williams County Sheriff’s Office, and others, worked alongside departments from across the region. Additional support came from fire departments in Bowbells, Crosby, Burlington, and even neighboring Montana, with teams from Bainville, Culbertson, and Plentywood joining the fight. Their collective efforts, alongside private industry contributions of water, supplies, and fire-fighting equipment, were critical in bringing the fires under control.

The human toll of the disaster is sobering, with eight injuries reported and two fatalities confirmed. The fires caused extensive damage to property and infrastructure, particularly to electrical systems in eastern Williams County. Mountrail-Williams Electric Cooperative has already begun restoring power in affected areas.

Aerial assessments, carried out by the North Dakota Highway Patrol and Civil Air Patrol, have been instrumental in identifying remaining fires and evaluating damage. Local residents are encouraged to report any losses, including livestock or property damage, through the Williams County website. This data will be vital for disaster reporting and updating property records.

Williams County Emergency Management extends its gratitude to all first responders, community volunteers, healthcare workers, and private industry partners who played a role in combating the fires. This event has underscored the resilience and solidarity of the community, and recovery efforts are already underway.

For those in need of emotional support during this difficult time, a helpline is available. Individuals are encouraged to call or text 9-8-8 for assistance. Additionally, a comprehensive list of wildfire recovery resources is available through NDResponse at https://ndresponse.gov/wildfire-recovery.

As those affected in Williams County begin to rebuild, everyone is reminded to check on their neighbors and loved ones, ensuring that no one faces this challenging time alone.