Richland County Emergency Management

04/22/2026

NO Burning 🔥 in Richland County, ND! Thanks for your help.

Richland County Burn Ban Declaration on High Fire Index Days!

Richland County is currently experiencing dry conditions across the county due to minimal rainfall.

Richland County has been sustaining surface winds, frequent wind gusts, in excess of 25 mph with abrupt change in speed and direction and our unusually hot and dry conditions this spring put us into a "extreme or very high fire alert",

These conditions accelerate the threat of fire danger for the public, residents, and property in Richland County,

The Entire State is showing signs of drought conditions,

The Richland County Board of Commission are concerned with the safety of the public, the emergency responders, and the property that lies within the county due to these conditions.

The Board of Richland County Commissioners have declared a Fire Emergency and Burn Ban to include a ban on garbage burning, campfires and burning of farm or crop land when the North Dakota Rangeland Fire Index is in the High, Very High, Critical or near Critical Fire Weather or Extreme category and/or Red Flag Warning has been issued for Richland County, North Dakota. The daily Rangeland Fire Index can be found at the following website: https://ndresponse.gov/burn-ban-restrictions-fire-danger-maps.

What's Included: (not allowed)
Open Burning: Includes burning of leaves, grass clippings, garbage/pits, construction debris, fallen trees, crop residue, or hay land, sloughs, and campfires/bonfires.

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

THE PENALTY FOR VIOLATION OF THE BURN BAN IS A CLASS B MISDEMEANOR (NDCC 37-17.1-10.1: MAXIMUM SENTENCE OF 30 DAYS IN JAIL AND $1,500 FINE).

Dated at Richland County Courthouse in Wahpeton, ND this 20th day of April, 2026.

04/20/2026

Richland County Burn Ban Declaration on High Fire Index Days!

Richland County is currently experiencing dry conditions across the county due to minimal rainfall.

Richland County has been sustaining surface winds, frequent wind gusts, in excess of 25 mph with abrupt change in speed and direction and our unusually hot and dry conditions this spring put us into a "extreme or very high fire alert",

These conditions accelerate the threat of fire danger for the public, residents, and property in Richland County,

The Entire State is showing signs of drought conditions,

The Richland County Board of Commission are concerned with the safety of the public, the emergency responders, and the property that lies within the county due to these conditions.

The Board of Richland County Commissioners have declared a Fire Emergency and Burn Ban to include a ban on garbage burning, campfires and burning of farm or crop land when the North Dakota Rangeland Fire Index is in the High, Very High, Critical or near Critical Fire Weather or Extreme category and/or Red Flag Warning has been issued for Richland County, North Dakota. The daily Rangeland Fire Index can be found at the following website: https://ndresponse.gov/burn-ban-restrictions-fire-danger-maps.

What's Included: (not allowed)
Open Burning: Includes burning of leaves, grass clippings, garbage/pits, construction debris, fallen trees, crop residue, or hay land, sloughs, and campfires/bonfires.

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

THE PENALTY FOR VIOLATION OF THE BURN BAN IS A CLASS B MISDEMEANOR (NDCC 37-17.1-10.1: MAXIMUM SENTENCE OF 30 DAYS IN JAIL AND $1,500 FINE).

Dated at Richland County Courthouse in Wahpeton, ND this 20th day of April, 2026.

03/21/2026

It’s Tonight!!!!

03/06/2026

HANKINSON, N.D. (KVRR-KFGO) – No one was hurt in a house fire in Hankinson Thursday night. The Richland County Sheriff’s Office says dispatch received a call just before 10 p.m. for a possible fire in an attic of the home at 307 4th Avenue SW. Richland County Emergency Manager Brett Lambrecht sa...

01/31/2026

Winter impacts are expected across parts of the area today as light snow and gusty winds combine to bring low visibility and occasional whiteout conditions. Widespread snow accumulations of 1-3 inches are expected, with possibly a few isolated higher totals.

01/07/2026

Lots of Good Local Events coming:

01/07/2026

The Primary Residence Credit (PRC) application window opened January 1, 2026 and will run through April 1, 2026. The PRC offers a property tax credit of up to $1,600 to help reduce property taxes for qualifying North Dakota homeowners. For more information call 701-328-7088 or visit https://www.tax.nd.gov/prc.

12/07/2025

Great for all Richland County Fire Departments!

We are pleased to announce the Cooperative Fire Protection Assistance program is now accepting grant applications through March 6, 2026! These grants are for fire departments that service a population of 10,000 or less, and meant to enhance their fire protection and prevention capabilities through project and vehicle cost-share. Applications can be found at https://www.ndsu.edu/ndfs/fire 🚒🔥

12/07/2025

12/07/2025

Wahpeton Fire Dept. battled a house fire 🔥 in Wahpeton Saturday morning. When fire crews arrived flames were out the windows of the home on the north side. The family of four were able to escape the home, but there was a loss of two family cats. Wahpeton Police, Ambulance Service & Richland County Emergency Management assisted the family and also the American Red Cross. The house looks to be a total loss according to officials.

10/08/2025

ND Forest Service will be doing a controlled burn Thursday and Friday in the NW corner of Richland County. Fire Crews will be all on hand to monitor also. Thanks!