First responders have reported one death and one critical injury to the Williams County Emergency Operations Center as a result of the fires.

Johannes Nicolaas Van Eeden, 26, of South Africa, succumbed to critical injuries from a fire in the Ray area. An additional individual with a critical injury has been transported for medical care.

The extent of property damage is still being assessed. Williams County/Williston Emergency Management and the ND Highway Patrol are utilizing aircraft to survey the affected areas and determine the size and scope of impact.

No other information will be released at this time.

UPDATE: (10/6/2024 at 11:48 a.m.):

According to the North Dakota National Guard, two Blackhawk helicopters were sent out today, as well as 27 Soldiers and Airmen who are qualified for wildfire operations, to western ND to support in the firefight. They left Bismarck earlier this morning.

UPDATE (10/6/2024 at 10:57 a.m.):

Ashley Fire Chief Link Golz says the fire department was called about a fire at around 2:00 p.m. Saturday.

The fire began in a harvested bean field a mile and a half west and a mile south of Ashley and spread into an unharvested corn field. There were no known injuries or damages, and the cause of the fire is still undetermined.

The fire was under control at around 5:00 p.m. Saturday. Golz says the fire burned about 80 acres of land.

According to her, Mandaree is currently waiting for state resources and Arnegard’s fire rekindled. She is heading over to Keene to see what the situation looks like.

There have been no known injuries so far at the McKenzie County fires.

UPDATE (10/6/24 at 8:45 a.m.):

Arnegard

We’re learning more information about a fire near Arnegard Saturday.

Fire Chief Rick Schreiber said the fire burned 561 total acres and was caused by downed power lines.

He said one structure was lost, including outbuildings and chicken coops, as well as three vehicles, including a semi and three semi-trailers.

Schreiber said some houses sustained damage.

At one time there were eight fire departments involved in the response.

Schreiber said there were no fatalities or major injuries.

The Four Bears Segment of the Three Affiliated Tribes posted that, as of midnight, fires in the segment had been contained, and residents in evacuated areas could return to their homes. The Johnny Bird Memorial building would remain open for those in Mandaree impacted.

The McKenzie County Sheriff’s Office posted shortly before midnight in an effort to dispel rumors of evacuations in Watford City. The MCSO said they were not evacuating Watford City, and at the time there were no concerns about safety in the city pertaining to the fires, though residents were at liberty to leave for the evening if they wished.

UPDATE (10/5/2024 at 9:42 p.m.): A fire that broke out near Garrison is now under control, according to McLean County Emergency Manager Noelle Kroll.

Kroll said the call came in around 11:45 a.m. Saturday for a fire that started about eight to ten miles west of Garrison and a couple of miles north. Kroll said the fire was under control around 8:20 p.m. Unofficially, roughly 830 acres were burned. No one was injured and the cause is still unknown.

UPDATE (10/5/2024 at 8:56 p.m.): A mandatory evacuation was issued for part of the west segment area of the Fort Berthold Reservation. The area impacted involves Highway 22 milepost 148 south to milepost 138 and one mile on both sides of the highway.