North Dakota Forest Service and North Dakota National Guard enhance wildfire readiness prior to the coming fall wildfire season

The state of North Dakota continues to expand its drought conditions, as the State’s top administrators warn about the possibility of a very active fall wildfire season. In order to build capacity to prepare for the augmentation of local fire resources when requested, the North Dakota Forest Service (NDFS) and North Dakota National Guard (NDNG) strengthen their partnership through enhanced training. As has been shown previously, this relationship was valuable in providing NDNG support to NDFS during the spring fire season of 2026, with NDNG support provided in equipment readiness, field operations and wildland fire response. In addition, the NDFS has offered numerous opportunities to build NDNG members’ skills with annual fire line refresher courses including pump operations; hose lays; ignition techniques; fire engine operation; and wildland fire tactics.

Going forward into the fall wildfire season, these collaborative relationships provide North Dakota with additional capabilities that may be rapidly mobilized into the wildfires’ operational area. These partnerships increase the quantity of personnel able to assist local fire departments as well as create a common understanding of wildland fires regarding operations, safety, equipment, and incident response.

Governor Armstrong declared a statewide fire emergency on August 7, 2026 due to deteriorating wildfire conditions and drought. Because of this, it is essential that NDFS, NDNG, and all other fire departments maintain a high degree of readiness. The investments made in training and interagency cooperation continue to enhance North Dakotas’ ability to protect people, community assets, infrastructure, and natural resources from the impacts of increased levels of wildfire.