Burn bans in North Dakota
Under N.D.C.C. § 37-17.1-10, the principal executive officer of a North Dakota county or city can declare a local disaster, emergency, or burn restriction directly — no county-commission vote is required to start it, though it may not run longer than seven days without the governing board's consent. Burn restrictions declared this way are published by the Department of Emergency Services on a live statewide map, updated as counties declare and rescind them.
All counties in North Dakota
| county | Status | Since |
|---|---|---|
| Adams | Burn Ban in Effect | Aug 12, 2026 |
| Benson | Burn Ban in Effect | Aug 19, 2026 |
| Billings | Burn Ban in Effect | Aug 12, 2026 |
| Bottineau | Burn Ban in Effect | Aug 12, 2026 |
| Bowman | Burn Ban in Effect | Aug 12, 2026 |
| Burke | Burn Ban in Effect | Aug 12, 2026 |
| Burleigh | Burn Ban in Effect | Aug 12, 2026 |
| Cass | Burn Ban in Effect | Aug 12, 2026 |
| Cavalier | Burn Ban in Effect | Aug 12, 2026 |
| Dickey | Burn Ban in Effect | Aug 12, 2026 |
| Divide | Burn Ban in Effect | Aug 12, 2026 |
| Dunn | Burn Ban in Effect | Aug 12, 2026 |
| Eddy | Burn Ban in Effect | Aug 12, 2026 |
| Emmons | Burn Ban in Effect | Aug 12, 2026 |
| Foster | Burn Ban in Effect | Aug 12, 2026 |
| Golden Valley | Burn Ban in Effect | Aug 12, 2026 |
| Grant | Burn Ban in Effect | Aug 12, 2026 |
| Hettinger | Burn Ban in Effect | Aug 12, 2026 |
| Kidder | Burn Ban in Effect | Aug 12, 2026 |
| Logan | Burn Ban in Effect | Aug 12, 2026 |
| McHenry | Burn Ban in Effect | Aug 12, 2026 |
| McIntosh | Burn Ban in Effect | Aug 12, 2026 |
| McKenzie | Burn Ban in Effect | Aug 12, 2026 |
| McLean | Burn Ban in Effect | Aug 12, 2026 |
| Mercer | Burn Ban in Effect | Aug 12, 2026 |
| Morton | Burn Ban in Effect | Aug 12, 2026 |
| Mountrail | Burn Ban in Effect | Aug 12, 2026 |
| Nelson | Burn Ban in Effect | Aug 12, 2026 |
| Oliver | Burn Ban in Effect | Aug 12, 2026 |
| Pembina | Burn Ban in Effect | Aug 12, 2026 |
| Pierce | Burn Ban in Effect | Aug 12, 2026 |
| Ramsey | Burn Ban in Effect | Aug 12, 2026 |
| Renville | Burn Ban in Effect | Aug 12, 2026 |
| Rolette | Burn Ban in Effect | Aug 12, 2026 |
| Sargent | Burn Ban in Effect | Aug 12, 2026 |
| Sheridan | Burn Ban in Effect | Aug 12, 2026 |
| Sioux | Burn Ban in Effect | Aug 12, 2026 |
| Slope | Burn Ban in Effect | Aug 12, 2026 |
| Stark | Burn Ban in Effect | Aug 12, 2026 |
| Steele | Burn Ban in Effect | Aug 12, 2026 |
| Stutsman | Burn Ban in Effect | Aug 12, 2026 |
| Traill | Burn Ban in Effect | Aug 12, 2026 |
| Ward | Burn Ban in Effect | Aug 12, 2026 |
| Wells | Burn Ban in Effect | Aug 18, 2026 |
| Williams | Burn Ban in Effect | Aug 12, 2026 |
| Barnes | No Restrictions | Aug 12, 2026 |
| Grand Forks | No Restrictions | Aug 12, 2026 |
| Griggs | No Restrictions | Aug 12, 2026 |
| LaMoure | No Restrictions | Aug 12, 2026 |
| Ransom | No Restrictions | Aug 12, 2026 |
| Richland | No Restrictions | Aug 12, 2026 |
| Towner | No Restrictions | Aug 12, 2026 |
| Walsh | No Restrictions | Aug 12, 2026 |
How North Dakota decides
- North Dakota has 53 counties. A burn restriction can be declared by a single county or city official and takes effect immediately, but lapses after seven days unless the county or city governing board extends it.
- Declarations are tracked per county on the state's own live map — there is no fixed burn season, so a county can move between open and banned status several times over a summer as conditions change.
- Some declarations are tied to the North Dakota Rangeland Fire Danger Rating reaching High, Very High, or Extreme, or to an active National Weather Service Red Flag Warning — check current conditions even in a county listed as open.
- Cities can hold their own burning restrictions independent of the county around them; this page reflects county-level declarations only.
Penalties in North Dakota
Under N.D.C.C. § 37-17.1-10.1, willfully violating a burn restriction established by a county or city order is a class B misdemeanor; § 12.1-32-01 sets the class B misdemeanor ceiling at 30 days' imprisonment, a $1,500 fine, or both.
Classification: Class B misdemeanor · Maximum fine: up to $1,500, up to 30 days in jail, or both
Common questions about North Dakota burn bans
Is there a burn ban in North Dakota right now?
Yes — 45 counties in North Dakota are currently under a burn ban. The county table above lists each one with its effective date and source.
How does North Dakota issue a burn ban?
Under N.D.C.C. § 37-17.1-10, the principal executive officer of a North Dakota county or city can declare a local disaster, emergency, or burn restriction directly — no county-commission vote is required to start it, though it may not run longer than seven days without the governing board's consent. Burn restrictions declared this way are published by the Department of Emergency Services on a live statewide map, updated as counties declare and rescind them.
How long does a burn ban last in North Dakota?
Bans are issued by county officials and typically stay in effect until conditions improve or the order expires. Some counties set explicit expiration dates; others leave a ban open-ended until lifted. Check each county's page for the expiration listed on the current order.
What are the penalties for violating a burn ban in North Dakota?
Under N.D.C.C. § 37-17.1-10.1, willfully violating a burn restriction established by a county or city order is a class B misdemeanor; § 12.1-32-01 sets the class B misdemeanor ceiling at 30 days' imprisonment, a $1,500 fine, or both.
burnbanradar reports the counties-level orders as published by North Dakota Department of Emergency Services. Municipal ordinances may impose stricter rules. When North Dakota Department of Emergency Services does not list a county, that does not mean no ban exists — verify with the county office. The published order governs.