BISMARCK, ND (KXNET) — North Dakota Governor Doug Burgum has requested a presidential major disaster declaration to help the northwest part of the state recover from the damage caused by the October wildfires. Burgum previously declared a statewide fire emergency October 3. He now sent a letter to President Joe Biden through the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), asking that a major disaster be declared for Oct. 5-6 for Williams and McKenzie counties. Other counties, including Mountrail, Ward, Dunn, and Oliver were also impacted, but did not sustain enough damage to meet the criteria for the request. The damage caused by the wildfires across the northwest is now expected to exceed $8 million. “These fast-spreading wildfires were unlike anything North Dakota has experienced in recent memory, claiming two lives and causing widespread damage to utilities and other public infrastructure as well as homes, land and livestock,” Burgum said. “We’re grateful to all the firefighters, first responders, farmers and ranchers who fought alongside state, tribal and federal resources to protect life and property, and we appreciate the consideration of this major presidential disaster request.” Rural electrical cooperatives in McKenzie and Williams counties sustained damage estimated at $3.7 million during the fires. They received reports of nearly 50 homes without power five days after the fires started. Mountrail-Williams Electric also reported 427 poles needed to be replaced, with more than 110 linemen working to restore power. McKenzie Electric reported that about 200 power poles needed to be replaced due to fire damage. Counties must surpass a per-capita threshold of damage costs to be eligible for a presidential declaration. The damage can fall into one of two categories: individual or public. While wildfire damage didn’t meet the threshold for individual assistance from FEMA, the electrical damage made the counties eligible for public assistance. Morton County ends fire emergency, burn ban declaration “In the case of the wildfires, we easily pass the threshold for public assistance for McKenzie and Williams counties with the damages to the electrical infrastructure for the rural electrical cooperatives,” said Recovery Section Chief Justin Messner of the North Dakota Department of Emergency Services. Farmers and ranchers also sustained major losses. Agricultural damages included 270 livestock mortalities, six herds suffering health impacts, and 38 livestock still missing. Approximately 14,000 acres of pasture and rangeland were lost, 19,000 acres of cropland suffered damage, and 1,150 haybales burned. Fires destroyed nearly 37,000 feet of shelterbelt and damaged 110 miles of fence. “The assessments conducted by NDSU Extension give a snapshot of the immediate agricultural impacts. However, the full extent of the impacts to crop production, forage resources and livestock is unknown,” said Miranda Meehan, Ph.D, NDSU Extension Livestock Environmental Stewardship Specialist and Disaster Education Coordinator. “It takes decades to build up genetics within beef cattle herds, and in a matter of hours, those animals and their future generations were lost. Farmers have lost large amounts of soil due to erosion, which may take decades to rebuild. Grassland production will be decreased, supporting fewer grazing animals in 2025 and perhaps beyond, depending on precipitation.” Ag-related property and infrastructure also sustained damage, including 11 buildings, two corrals, six water tanks, 30,000 bushels of stored grain, five wooden granaries, and 10 pieces of machinery and parts, including a combine. Those impacted can find financial, mental and physical recovery resources at ndresponse.gov/wildfire-recovery. Close Thanks for signing up! Watch for us in your inbox. Subscribe Now Today's Top Stories SIGN UP NOW