North Dakota Wildland Fire Danger Guide
The Fire Danger Index, issued by the National Weather Service, serves as a guide to reduce the number of uncontrollable outdoor fires. Fire Danger Indexes provide an indication of wildland fire potential and overall fire activity to a given area. The Fire Danger Index provides citizens with needed information about fire safety conditions. The index contains five ratings – low, medium, high, very high and extreme. Fires are more likely to occur on higher index days, and more likely to grow in size. The Fire Danger Index does not predict how a specific fire will behave; however, the indices do give an indication of overall fire potential.
Index Rating | Fire Danger Description |
---|---|
LOW | Weather and fuel indicators show the probability of fire occurrence is low. |
MEDIUM | Weather and fuel conditions indicate some potential for fire occurrence. Expect predictable fire behavior with moderate rates of spread. |
HIGH | Fires are active. Expect moderate and occasional high rates of spread. |
VERY HIGH | Fires spread rapidly and show erratic behavior. Dangerous burning conditions exist. |
EXTREME | Potential for large fires exist. Fires spread rapidly. Extreme fire behavior is probable. Critical burning conditions exist. |
For more information on the emerald ash borer see the Emerald Ash Borer Information Network.