A North Dakota firefighter working on a grass fire was injured in a vehicle rollover Monday.
From the Bismark Tribune:
…Visibility in the area was near zero at times Monday and caused one firefighting truck to roll off the side of the road, Richardton Fire Chief Jason Kostelecky said.
One of the firefighters inside sought medical help for injuries suffered in the crash, but his scans did not indicate serious problems, said the chief of the all-volunteer fire department. The vehicle, a pickup with a pumping unit, was damaged but some components might be salvaged.
Like in Wyoming and South Dakota Monday where very strong winds caused a number of wildfires to grow large, the conditions were similar in North Dakota.
Due to the extreme fire danger that the area is still experiencing on Wednesday, the state is beefing up their firefighting resources due to drought. The Colorado Division of Fire Prevention and Control has deployed two of their wildland fire engines to assist firefighters in North Dakota. The crews from Alamosa and Montrose are expecting to be on a two week assignment.
On Wednesday the South Dakota Governor declared a state of emergency to run through June 1 due to “severe drought and dangerous fire conditions,” a news release from the governor’s office said.
“This executive order is in response to the numerous fire incidents occurring throughout the state. The order will allow the state to provide greater assistance to the response efforts of local and volunteer firefighters,” the release said.
The Schroeder Fire that burned more than 2,100 acres Monday just west of Rapid City, SD prompted the evacuation of about 500 homes.
Thanks and a tip of the hat go out to Dick and Dan.
