04-09-2004, 09:49 PM
Open Fires Banned on Oahe WMA until June 1
The North Dakota Game and Fish Department is prohibiting open burning, including campfires, until June 1 on the Oahe Wildlife Management Area along both sides of the Missouri River, according to Greg Link, assistant wildlife chief.
Oahe WMA covers more than 16,000 acres along Lake Oahe south of Bismarck-Mandan, in portions of Burleigh, Emmons and Morton counties. Game and fish personnel are in the process of posting signs at all entrances.
"We've had problems with fire in this area in the past, and ground conditions are almost identical to last spring's major fire," Link said. "Add those two factors to an already high traffic area, and the possibility of a fire starting and getting out of control increases."
Wildfires have occurred frequently on Oahe WMA, including the last two spring seasons. In April 2003, a 6,500 acre wildlife, started by an unmanned campfire, burned out of control and challenged volunteer firefighting crews for nearly a week. "These river bottom lands are popular and heavily used by outdoor enthusiasts," Link said. "Because these lands carry heavy and contiguous fuel loads prior to green-up, they have greater susceptibility for wildfires."
It is important for outdoor enthusiasts to follow the statewide Fire Danger Index guidelines, Link mentioned. If the index reaches the VERY HIGH or EXTREME category, people are asked to follow the appropriate measures.
The fire danger index is issued by the National Weather Service to alert the public to conditions that may be conducive to accidental starting or spread of fires. The index can change from day to day depending on temperature, wind and precipitation forecasts.
Information on current fire danger indexes is available through the NWS internet site at www.crh.noaa.gov/data/BIS/RFDBIS, or the county sheriff's office.
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The North Dakota Game and Fish Department is prohibiting open burning, including campfires, until June 1 on the Oahe Wildlife Management Area along both sides of the Missouri River, according to Greg Link, assistant wildlife chief.
Oahe WMA covers more than 16,000 acres along Lake Oahe south of Bismarck-Mandan, in portions of Burleigh, Emmons and Morton counties. Game and fish personnel are in the process of posting signs at all entrances.
"We've had problems with fire in this area in the past, and ground conditions are almost identical to last spring's major fire," Link said. "Add those two factors to an already high traffic area, and the possibility of a fire starting and getting out of control increases."
Wildfires have occurred frequently on Oahe WMA, including the last two spring seasons. In April 2003, a 6,500 acre wildlife, started by an unmanned campfire, burned out of control and challenged volunteer firefighting crews for nearly a week. "These river bottom lands are popular and heavily used by outdoor enthusiasts," Link said. "Because these lands carry heavy and contiguous fuel loads prior to green-up, they have greater susceptibility for wildfires."
It is important for outdoor enthusiasts to follow the statewide Fire Danger Index guidelines, Link mentioned. If the index reaches the VERY HIGH or EXTREME category, people are asked to follow the appropriate measures.
The fire danger index is issued by the National Weather Service to alert the public to conditions that may be conducive to accidental starting or spread of fires. The index can change from day to day depending on temperature, wind and precipitation forecasts.
Information on current fire danger indexes is available through the NWS internet site at www.crh.noaa.gov/data/BIS/RFDBIS, or the county sheriff's office.
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