Jamestown Rural Fire Department Responds to Tree Fire Caused by Power Lines

A tree caught fire after coming into contact with power lines at a home along Hoggarth Drive, about 3 miles north of Jamestown, Thursday evening, prompting a response from the Jamestown Rural Fire Department.

One unit carrying two firefighters arrived at the scene at approximately 9 p.m. on March 12, according to rural fire chief Brian Paulson. Northern Plains Electric Cooperative deenergized the power line and removed the tree. No injuries were reported, and firefighters cleared the scene after about 30 minutes.

The incident arrives against a backdrop of unusually active fire conditions across Stutsman County. The department has responded to eight grass fires in the past three weeks, already surpassing last year's total grass fire count for the entire first quarter. Five of those eight fires were accidentally started by individuals.

Paulson attributes the elevated risk to this winter's minimal snow cover, which left prairie grasses standing upright and dry rather than matted down. Drought conditions have been spreading eastward across North Dakota, and Stutsman County's fire danger rating currently sits at "high."

Paulson urges anyone planning a controlled burn to first check the county website for the current fire danger rating and to notify authorities by calling 252-1000 before igniting anything. He also recommends keeping fire extinguishers accessible until significant rainfall arrives to bring moisture back into the landscape.