FARGO — Wildfires have already scorched more than 30,000 acres across North Dakota in 2025 — three times more than at this time of year in 2024.
As of May 5, emergency management officials say wildfires have burned over 30,000 acres. On the same date in 2024, that figure was just 10,000 acres.
Officials say a prolonged spring fire season and the absence of significant rain or snowstorms have allowed more fires to ignite and grow larger.
National Weather Service meteorologist Chauncy Schultz said that without early season moisture, the ground and grass remain vulnerable in the state.
“When they don’t come, there’s really nothing to activate that grass and to really get it growing with some good moisture in it,” Schultz said. “The soils are also really dry, and that leads to the root systems of the grasses also being really dry. That makes containing fires and putting them out that much harder.”
Schultz added that June is typically a wetter month for the region, which could help reduce wildfire activity.
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