Cass County Enacts Burn Restrictions

The Cass County Board of Commissioners has declared a fire emergency and enacted burn restrictions through November 30, 2026, due to abundant dry vegetation and ongoing hot, dry, and windy weather conditions.

The restrictions will be in effect whenever the North Dakota Rangeland Fire Danger Rating for Cass County is classified as High, Very High, or Extreme, and/or when a Red Flag Warning is issued by the National Weather Service.

What's Included: No Open Burning: Includes campfires, controlled burns (i.e., wood piles, tumbleweeds, tree piles, etc.), cropland/agricultural burning, fireworks (aerial and ground), garbage/pit burning

What's Excluded: Controlled Devices: Only when device (gas grills, gas patio fireplaces and chimineas, gas camp stoves, gas, charcoal, or wood-fired grills, patio fireplaces and chimineas, gas camp stoves, and smokers) is on a hard, non-organic surface and 15 feet away from vegetation and an extinguisher or water is available on site.

Violations of the burn restriction are classified as a Class B misdemeanor under North Dakota Century Code 37-17.1-10.1 and may result in up to 30 days in jail and a fine of up to $1,500.

Residents need to check the daily Fire Danger Rating before conducting any burning. The rating is available at ndresponse.gov/burn.