New Rockford Fire Department

07/13/2025

Outdoor warning systems (sirens) have been in the news a lot recently. With the active severe weather season in our area and the tragic flooding in the southern plains it is maybe a good time to review the intent of these systems.

These systems are outdoor warning systems; they are not engineered or designed to provide a signal loud enough to be consistently heard indoors or wake you at night. Granted, if you live near one of these, you are likely very much aware that you can hear it inside your home. However, the intent of all outdoor warning systems is to alert members of the public that are outdoors of a potential threat, and they should go indoors and seek more information.

In our community, these systems are activated with a 45 second wail (ramp-up - ramp-down) siren sound to summon volunteer firefighters of a call. For a tornado or imminent dangerous wind threat the system is activated for five minutes with repeated attention getting sounds and a recorded voice stating: "this is a tornado warning".

The utilization of these systems varies significancy in terms of threats that they may alert for. Across America threats that outdoor warning systems are activated for include tornado, tsunami, flood, nuclear emergency (near nuclear power plants and facilities) and other threats that may be somewhat unique to a specific location. However, all are designed as outdoor warning systems with the intent of alerting you to go indoors and seek more information about the threat or situation in the immediate area.

07/04/2025

Fireworks UPDATE: due to the current weather forecast, we will be postponing tonight’s fireworks display. Show will be postponed until tomorrow (July 5th) at dusk.

07/03/2025

FIREWORKS update. At this time we are still planning to hold the community fireworks display at dusk on the 4th. However; the current weather forecast does not look favorable for the evening of the 4th. The decision will be made on the afternoon of the 4th if we need to postpone. If we decide to postpone, the show would likely be pushed to dusk on Saturday the 5th. Updates will be posted here.

05/14/2025

Press Release

Date: 5/14/2025

Incident: Blackhawk Fire – Eddy County, ND

At 11:42 AM (CSDT) on Tuesday, May 13th, 2025, the New Rockford Fire Department was dispatched to an area near 24th Street NE and 75th Ave NE in Bush Township for a report of a grass fire. Upon arrival, responders observed an active fire that had already consumed an estimated ten acres of pasture and slough grasses. Three New Rockford FD wildland units attempted to stop the head of the fire at a pinch point shortly after arriving. However, due to gusty winds, access issues, heavy fuel loads and firefighter safety concerns we were unsuccessful in this initial effort.

The fire continued to push into marshy wildland and pasture lands that presented significant access challenges for ground-based fire suppression. As the fire continued to push to the north/northwest the next closest opportunity for good access was nearly two miles away. At that time, it was determined that aerial firefighting support was likely the only way we were going to stop the forward progress of this fire.

Spirit Lake Fire management was contacted and responded to the scene. At that time, they coordinated air firefighting support that was provided by Bureau of Indian Affairs-Great Plains Region. Their efforts were instrumental in stopping the forward process of the fire. Further fire suppression and mop-up was supported by North Dakota Forest Service crews that were dispatched out of Bismarck to assist.

The fire was considered 100% contained at 8:00 PM on 5/13/2025. The fire consumed an estimated 400 acres of pasture and wildland. One vacant farmstead and a solar pasture well system was threatened, but protection efforts were successful in saving these properties. No injuries, no structures were lost and no significant loss of property was noted. Fences do have damage though. One power pole was lost and power was out for several hours in and around the general area of the fire. All power was restored by 9:00 PM that evening.

Responding and assisting agencies: New Rockford Fire Department, Sheyenne Fire Department, Spirit Lake Fire, Carrington Fire Department, Community Ambulance Service of New Rockford, Bureau of Indian Affairs-Great Plains Region, North Dakota Forest Service, Lake Region 911 Dispatch, North Dakota State Radio and Eddy County Emergency Management.

New Rockford Firefighters would like to thank all who assisted or offered help during this incident. There was also a significant effort by local farmers, ranchers, and businesses to assist with this fire and their efforts are noteworthy and much appreciated.

Issued: 10:00 AM 5/14/2025 TEO/TPA

05/14/2025

Today’s fire is 100% contained and all firefighting resources have been released. No injuries, no structures lost and no significant loss of property. However; fences will need attention.

Northern Plains Electric line crews are in the process of restoring electricity to the immediate area. Power should be restored by dark.

05/13/2025

UPDATE: as of 5:00 PM the fire has been contained and mop up is ongoing. There is a power outage that is impacting farms and ranches in the area. Northern Plains Electric is in the process of replacing a pole that was damaged in the fire.

New Rockford Fire Department would like to thank Sheyenne Fire Department, Carrington Fire Department, Spirit Lake Fire, North Dakota Forest Service and Community Ambulance of New Rockford for the assistance todayy!

Large fire NE of New Rockford. Multiple departments, locals and aircraft are working to extinguish this fire. Please stay alway from this area.

05/11/2025

This includes our response areas in Eddy and Wells Counties. Burning restrictions are active in both counties today and all adjacent areas.

Temps into the mid-90's, relative humidity in the lower 20s and winds potentially gusting to 45 MPH will create conditions for rapid fire growth and spread. We have started to see some of the vegetation (fuels) begin to green-up, but there are still a lot of residual dry/dead fuels available to support significant concerns.

Issued 5/11/2025

05/04/2025

Annual breakfast is in full swing. Serving until 12:30 today! Thanks to everyone for attending.

Our regional Red Cross rep traveled 60 miles to support us! We are fortunate to have Red Cross volunteers supporting the people of central ND!

05/04/2025

Red Flag Warning today, Sunday, May 4th: Fire restrictions are in place. No open burning today.

A Red Flag Warning is in effect from noon to 9 pm CDT (11 AM to 8 PM MDT) today. Critical fire weather conditions are expected over most of North Dakota. Any fires that ignite will spread rapidly and be difficult to control.

05/03/2025

Fire Weather Watch has been posted for tomorrow Sunday, May 4th. Please be aware of increasing fire weather conditions. This does include Eddy and Wells Counties.
..FIRE WEATHER WATCH REMAINS IN EFFECT FROM SUNDAY AFTERNOON
THROUGH SUNDAY EVENING FOR WIND AND LOW RELATIVE HUMIDITY FOR
WESTERN AND CENTRAL NORTH DAKOTA...

* WINDS...Southerly at 20 to 30 mph with gusts to 40 mph.

* RELATIVE HUMIDITY...As low as 18 percent.

* AFFECTED AREA...Western and central North Dakota.

* IMPACTS...Any fires that ignite will spread rapidly and become
difficult to control.

04/20/2025

Fire danger index is rated at very high today for Eddy and Wells Counties. No burning please.

4/20/25

04/14/2025

Hope to see you on Sunday, May 4th!