Office of the North Dakota Fire Marshal

01/22/2026

Community Risk Reduction Week 2026 highlights Emergency Response—and how North Dakota fire departments reduce risk and save lives before crews arrive. In today’s fire environment, people often have three minutes or less to escape, making the moments before 911 is called critical.

Through education, inspections, and everyday interactions, North Dakota firefighters help communities prepare during this “zero-impact period,” improving outcomes when responders arrive. This CRR Week, strengthen emergency response by preparing your community before the next alarm.

01/21/2026

Emergencies don’t have to be inevitable. Governor Armstrong has proclaimed January 19–26 as , highlighting how local fire departments use data, education, and prevention to reduce risk before emergencies happen.

Safer communities start with awareness. Prevention saves lives.

Read the full proclamation:https://www.governor.nd.gov/sites/www/files/documents/Community%20Risk%20Reduction%20Week%20-%202026.pdf

01/13/2026

Firefighter health is a team effort. Encourage your crew, station, or department to enroll in the National Firefighter Registry for Cancer during Firefighter Cancer Awareness Month. Every sign-up helps. NFR.CDC.gov

Protecting firefighter health is a team effort. Encourage your crew, station, or department to enroll in the NIOSH National Firefighter Registry for Cancer during Firefighter Cancer Awareness Month. Every sign-up helps. Get started at NFR.CDC.gov.

12/31/2025

We’re welcoming the New Year! 🎉🎇
Our office will be closed Thursday and Friday, January 1–2 for the holiday. Happy 2026!

11/26/2025

🔥 Thanksgiving = #1 Day for Home Cooking Fires
Before the feast begins, here’s what to know:
- North Dakota averages ~0.59 Thanksgiving fires per 100k people
- U.S. average: ~0.69 per 100k
ND is slightly lower — but the danger is still real.
Nationwide:
• Thanksgiving has 3× more home cooking fires than a typical day.
• Christmas Day & Christmas Eve take #2 and #3.
• Unattended cooking is the top cause.
• Cooking causes 52% of all home fires and 36% of home fire injuries.
• In 2023, 1,446 cooking fires were reported on Thanksgiving alone — 388% above average.
• From 2019–2023, 80% of Thanksgiving structure fires were cooking-related and caused 40% of that day’s injuries.
Bottom line: Stay in the kitchen. Stay focused. Stay safe.
Happy Thanksgiving, North Dakota! 🦃🔥🍂

11/04/2025

🚒 Exciting news for North Dakota’s fire departments!
State Fire Marshal Doug Nelson shares how the new NERIS system will simplify fire reporting and provide better tools for local departments.

Check out his message to learn how your department can get started.

10/31/2025

👻Happy Halloween!🎃

We had a spooktacular time meeting all the goblins, super heroes, princes, and more at the First Responder Trunk-or-Treat! Your smiles lit up the night — safely, we hope!

As you decorate and celebrate, remember:

Keep candles and jack-o’-lanterns away from flammable materials 🕯️

Choose battery-operated lights instead of open flames

Check that costumes are flame-resistant

A little caution keeps the scares fun and the night fire-free!

10/21/2025

Congratulations to the Sarles Rural Fire Department on your new brush truck! 🚒🔥

This new addition was made possible through the Federal Excess Personal Property (FEPP) Program, which allows the USDA Forest Service to loan federal firefighting equipment to state agencies like the North Dakota Forest Service (NDFS). NDFS then places that equipment with local departments across the state — strengthening wildland firefighting capacity and helping protect North Dakota homes, communities, and first responders.

The State Fire Marshal’s Office is proud to support programs like this that enhance local readiness and help stretch taxpayer dollars further in the fight against wildfire.

➡️ Fire departments interested in requesting equipment can learn more or apply here: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSczbvkXW6pFbrF8oqjGnmI6T6I9fsKZGOo3FYvyYFLM5meyPw/viewform?pli=1

Congratulations to the Sarles Rural Fire Department on your new brush truck through the Federal Excess Personal Property (FEPP) program! 🔥

Through FEPP, the USDA Forest Service loans federal property used for firefighting to state forestry agencies like the NDFS. We then place it with local departments to bolster local capacity for wildland firefighting, ultimately protecting American homes and lives from wildfire while reducing the cost of wildfire protection to taxpayers.

Does your department need equipment to help increase its wildland firefighting ability? Submit a request here: https://bit.ly/ND-FEPP

10/16/2025

The September Monthly Fire Statistics Report is now available: https://www.firemarshal.nd.gov/communications/statistics

10/10/2025

🔋🔥 We’re charging into Fire Prevention Week with our friends at and the !

Remember — safe use and charging of lithium-ion batteries helps keep everyone protected at home and in our communities.

10/09/2025

Mayor Schmitz joined us to launch Fire Prevention Week! 🔥🔋

Theme: “Charge into Fire Safety: Lithium-Ion Batteries in Your Home.”
Quick tips: use listed chargers, charge on hard surfaces, don’t overcharge.
Thanks, , for partnering to keep Bismarck safe.

10/08/2025

🔥It’s Fire Prevention Week!🔥
State Fire Marshal Doug Nelson shares why this year’s theme — Lithium-Ion Battery Safety — matters to all of us.
These powerful batteries keep our phones, tools, and even toothbrushes running — but if used improperly, they can spark fast-moving fires.

⚡ Safety tips to keep in mind:
✅ Use only chargers made for your device
✅ Charge on hard surfaces, not under pillows or blankets
✅ Unplug once fully charged

Watch Doug’s message and help us spread the word about lithium-ion battery safety this Fire Prevention Week! 🔋👇