Grass fire reported at Spiritwood Energy Park rail loop, Jamestown crews respond

A grass fire at the Spiritwood Energy Park rail loop put Jamestown Rural Fire Department crews on alert in the middle of a spring stretch when dry ground and strong wind could turn a small ignition into a much larger threat.

Fire Chief Brian Paulson said the department responded Saturday, May 9, to the fire at the rail loop site east of Jamestown. The location matters: Spiritwood Energy Park is a more than 500-acre industrial park about 10 miles east of Jamestown, with rail, interstate, highway, water and wastewater access, along with heavy power and steam infrastructure. A fire in that setting is not just a brush problem, it is a reminder of how exposed open ground can be around active transportation and industrial corridors in Stutsman County.

The timing also heightened concern. Weather conditions on Friday, May 8, were described as windy and warm, with winds increasing to 30 to 35-plus mph and elevated fire danger. The National Weather Service in Bismarck issued a Red Flag Warning for much of western and central North Dakota that day, then showed warning coverage for parts of northwest and north central North Dakota on Saturday, May 9. North Dakota Response said the state was bracing for a prolonged spring fire season because of lower-than-average snowpack and below-average spring precipitation.

That combination of wind, warmth and dry fuel is exactly what makes grass fires dangerous on farms, in roadside ditches and around acreage properties across the county. Open country offers little to slow a fire once it gets moving, and rural departments like the Jamestown Rural Fire Department often have to cover large distances before a blaze has time to spread. The department says it serves one of the largest fire districts in North Dakota, which makes quick response all the more important when flames start in open grass.

The May 9 call also fit a pattern that local residents have already seen. In April 2025, the Jamestown Rural Fire Department responded to eight grass fires in three weeks, and five of those were reportedly started accidentally by individuals. That earlier run showed how quickly spring fire season can escalate when weather and human activity combine.

For Stutsman County, the lesson from the Spiritwood Energy Park fire was plain: when the wind picks up and the grass dries out, even a small fire near rail lines or farm ground can demand an immediate response.