11.25.24

Hoeven, Cramer, Armstrong Request Assistance for Recovery from Historic ND Wildfires, Support Call for Major Disaster Declaration

WASHINGTON – Senators John Hoeven and Kevin Cramer and Congressman Kelly Armstrong today urged President Joe Biden to approve Governor Doug Burgum’s request for a major disaster declaration covering the straight-line winds and historic wildfires that occurred October 5 to October 6 of this year. The declaration would unlock federal resources to support recovery and disaster mitigation in the affected areas, including McKenzie and Williams counties.

“Nearly 150,000 gallons of water from nearby Lake Sakakawea were used to contain the fires, which burned approximately 120,000 acres of land and resulted in excess of $8 million in damages,” wrote the delegation. “While North Dakotans are extremely resilient, these historic wildfires have deeply impacted the agricultural community and electrical infrastructure. The loss of livestock, structures, equipment, and the destruction of shelterbelts and windbreaks will take years to recover from… We support the State’s request and urge you to approve it as soon as possible so the necessary Federal resources can be made available to North Dakotans.”

Full text of the delegation’s letter can be found here.

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