ND North News

The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) has awarded $2,860,827 to the Mountrail-Williams Electric Cooperative to repair damage caused by wildfires and straight-line winds that occurred on October 5 and 6, 2024. The affected area in western North Dakota had been experiencing severe or extreme drought before the fires.

The wildfires and winds led to significant damage, including burned and broken utility poles and damaged sub-assemblies. This resulted in a county-wide power outage. In response, Mountrail-Williams Electric Cooperative replaced utility poles of different sizes and classes, powerline conductors, and all burned electrical component sub-assemblies.

In November of last year, U.S. Senator Kevin Cramer (R-ND), along with U.S. Senator John Hoeven (R-ND) and former U.S. Representative Kelly Armstrong (R-ND), sent a letter to former President Joe Biden supporting a request for a major disaster declaration from then-Governor Doug Burgum. The disaster declaration was approved and is being distributed by FEMA under the Trump administration.

“While North Dakotans are extremely resilient, these historic wildfires have deeply impacted the agricultural community and electrical infrastructure,” said Senator Cramer. “The loss of livestock, structures, equipment, and the destruction of shelterbelts and windbreaks will take years to recover from. We are immensely grateful for the first responders, farmers and ranchers, as well as the local, state, tribal, and federal agencies who swiftly responded to these wildfires, and prevented further loss of life and property.”