Morton County Maintains Burn Ban Despite Recent Rains Following Landowner Fire Incident
Morton County, North Dakota, remains under a total burn ban, a reminder issued by the Mandan Rural Fire Department after a landowner's weed-burning activity led to an uncontrolled fire on Sunday. The incident occurred around 1:15 p.m. near Mandan, where a landowner, unaware of the ban, started burning weeds. Despite recent rains, the fire quickly spread across approximately three acres before being extinguished by the landowner and neighbors. Fire Chief Lynn Gustin emphasized that even with two inches of rain in the area west of Mandan last week, the grass remains dry from the spring and will not regenerate quickly. The landowner now faces potential penalties of up to 30 days in jail and a fine of up to $1,500 for violating the burn ban. 
