Cavalier County adopts Emergency Fire Danger Proclamation tied to ND guidelines

The Cavalier County Board of Commissioners on April 16 approved an Emergency Fire Danger Proclamation that ties permitted burning to the North Dakota Fire Danger Guidelines.

The proclamation, approved on a motion by Commissioner Austin Lafrenz, states that a burn declaration currently exists in Cavalier County and that burning is permitted as directed by the ND Fire Danger Guidelines dated Feb. 5, 2024 when the Fire Index is in the High, Very High or Extreme range, or when a Red Flag Warning is issued by the National Weather Service. The proclamation includes a monthly review of conditions.

Emergency Manager and 911 Coordinator Karen Kempert also reviewed a proposed Emergency Manager job description. Kempert told the commissioners she did not believe the Emergency Manager could take on additional FEMA-related duties while also serving as 911 Coordinator, and that the Emergency Manager position would not qualify for Category Z FEMA administrative reimbursement because it is already reimbursed using federal EMPG funds. The commissioners agreed to continue the Emergency Manager position combined with the 911 Coordinator.

The motion to adopt the proclamation carried; the minutes do not record a roll-call tally. No implementation tasks, enforcement procedures or expiration date for the proclamation beyond monthly review were recorded in the minutes.