BISMARCK, N.D. (KFGO) – Gov. Doug Burgum has requested a presidential major disaster declaration to assist in recovery from historic wildfires that raged across northwest North Dakota in early October, causing damage that’s expected to exceed $8 million.
In a letter to President Joe Biden through the Federal Emergency Management Agency, Burgum requested a major disaster be declared for Oct. 5-6 for Williams and McKenzie counties.
The counties of Mountrail, Ward, Dunn, and Oliver were also impacted by the wildfires but didn’t sustain enough infrastructure damage to exceed the per-capita threshold for being included in the declaration request.
Burgum said the fast-spreading wildfires, driven by strong winds of 50-60 mph with gusts of nearly 80 mph were unlike anything North Dakota has experienced in recent memory, claiming two lives and causing widespread damage to utilities and other public infrastructure as well as homes, land and livestock.
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