Mercer County Emergency Services

A Skywarn Class will be held on Monday, May 21, 2013, from 6pm – 8pm(CT) at the Beulah Civic Center, Beulah, ND

Mercer County Emergency Services — Fri, 18 May 2012 18:25:43 +0000

Due to all the Severe Weather that Mercer County received last summer and could possibly receive this summer a Skywarn class has been scheduled and will be conducted by the Bismarck National Weather Service and cover the following:
*Thunderstorm Formation…How & Why.
*Thunderstorm hazards—flash floods, tornadoes, lightning, wind, hail.
*History of severe weather in North Dakota.
*Storm Strength and what weather you will get.
*Storm Structure…wall clouds, shelf clouds, mesocyclones, rain free base.
*How to Stay Safe!
*Neat Pictures and Cool Video!

Mercer County, ND will be Testing Sirens and Reverse 911 Systems on May 2nd, 2012!

Mercer County Emergency Services — Wed, 02 May 2012 14:15:45 +0000

Today, May 2nd, 2012, between 11:00 – 11:30am(CT), the Bismarck National Weather Service will be conducting a test tornado drill for the entire State of North Dakota. Mercer County will be testing its Sirens and Reverse 911 System.

Mercer County Burn Ban Lifted on April 27th, 2012, Local Fire Chiefs Urging all Residents to Burn with Care!!

Mercer County Emergency Services — Fri, 27 Apr 2012 17:15:28 +0000

The Mercer County Burn Ban has been lifted as of April 27th, 2012, but local Fire Chiefs are urging all residents that need to burn, to burn with care. For controlled burns you need to let the Dispatch know by calling 745-3334.

Mercer County, ND Burn Ban Continues with Stage I Restrictions until Further Notice!

Mercer County Emergency Services — Wed, 18 Apr 2012 15:38:02 +0000

Due to the cooler and wetter weather the Mercer County Commission, with recommendation from the Sheriff and Local Fire Chiefs, made a motion at the April 18th Commission Meeting to change the Fire Ban to Stage I Restrictions until further notice. Please note that the Stage I restrictions still restrict most burning. The Local Fire Chiefs agree that even though we have had some wetter and cooler weather, it would only take one day of sunshine to dry everything up again and most burnings will continue to burn for days beyond the initial burn. We want everyone to be safe and not take unnecessary risks with fires. Remember all of our Firefighters are volunteers; every time they go to a fire they are risking their lives to protect your life and property. See below for Fire Declaration & State I Burn Ban details:
FIRE EMERGENCY DECLARATION AND BURN BAN PROCLAMATION
WHEREAS, the County of Mercer, North Dakota is under abnormally dry conditions compiled with significant fuel supplies resulting in extreme fire potential; and
WHEREAS, all available resources remain committed to protecting life and property; and
WHEREAS, the impact of fires could threaten the health, well-being and public safety of citizens in Mercer County; and
WHEREAS, the cost of emergency response and the inordinate equipment wear may be far in excess of available County resources.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the Board of Mercer County Commissioners declare a Fire Emergency Declaration for all of Mercer County to include all incorporated cities; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Board of Mercer County Commissioners proclaims that a Stage I Burn Ban is in effect for all of Mercer County, North Dakota, to include all incorporated cities, until further notice.
ANY INDIVIDUAL WHO WILLFULLY VIOLATES THIS BURN BAN IS GUILTY OF A CLASS B MISDEMEANOR (NDCC 37-17.1-10.1) PUNISHABLE BY A FINE OF UP TO $1000.00 AND 30 DAYS IN JAIL. THE MERCER COUNTY SHERIFF’S DEPARTMENT IS AUTHORIZED TO ISSUE CITATIONS TO VIOLATORS.
DATED at Stanton, North Dakota, this 18th day of April, 2012.
MERCER COUNTY COMMISSION
STAGE I RESTRICTIONS
The following acts are prohibited until further notice:
1. Building, maintaining, attending or using a fire or campfire except within a developed recreation site or improved site.
2. Smoking, except within an enclosed vehicle or building, a developed recreation site or while stopped in an area at least three (3) feet in diameter that is barren or cleared of all flammable materials.
EXEMPTIONS TO STAGE I RESTRICTIONS
1. Persons with a written permit that specifically authorizes the otherwise prohibited act.
2. Persons using a device fueled solely by liquid petroleum or LPG fuels that can be turned on and off.
3. Persons conducting activities in those designated areas where the activity is specifically authorized by written notice
4. Any Federal, State or local officer or member of an organized rescue or firefighting force in the performance of an official duty.
5. Other exceptions unique to each agency/tribe.
An exemption does not absolve an individual or organization from liability or responsibility for any fire started by the exempted activity.

Mercer County, ND Stage II Burn Ban in Effect as of March 21, 2012, Until Further Notice

Mercer County Emergency Services — Thu, 22 Mar 2012 19:42:56 +0000

On March 21, 2012, the Board of Mercer County Commissioners proclaimed that a Stage II Burn Ban is in effect for all of Mercer County, North Dakota, until further notice.
ANY INDIVIDUAL WHO WILLFULLY VIOLATES THIS BURN BAN IS GUILTY OF A CLASS B MISDEMEANOR (NDCC 37-17.1-10.1) PUNISHABLE BY A FINE OF UP TO $1000.00AND 30 DAYS IN JAIL. THE MERCER COUNTY SHERIFF’S DEPARTMENT IS AUTHORIZED TO ISSUE CITATIONS TO VIOLATORS
Stage II Burn Ban Restrictions and Exemptions are as follows:
Restrictions:
The following acts are prohibited until further notice:
*Building, maintaining, attending, or using a fire or campfire
*Smoking, except within an enclosed vehicle or building, a developed recreation site or while stopped in an area at least three (3) feet in diameter that is barren or cleared of all flammable materials.
1. Welding or operating acetylene or other torch with open flame.
2. Using an explosive.
*Operating motorized vehicles off designated roads and trails.
Exemptions to Stage II Restrictions:
1. Persons with a written permit that specifically authorizes the otherwise prohibited act.
2. Persons using a device fueled solely by liquid petroleum or LPG fuels that can be turned on and off.
3. Operating motorized vehicles on designated roads and trails.
4. Emergency repair of public utilities and railroads.
5. Persons conducting activities in those designated areas where the activity is specifically authorized by written posted notice.
6. Any Federal, State or local officer or member of an organized rescue or firefighting force in the performance of an official duty.
7. Welding or operating acetylene or other torch with open flame, with extinguishment capabilities immediately accessible.
8. Other exceptions unique to each agency/tribe.

On March 12th, 2012, Mercer County, North Dakota, has Issued a Burn Ban Until Further Notice

Mercer County Emergency Services — Mon, 12 Mar 2012 17:39:45 +0000

Due to the large amounts of dry vegetation on the ground and lack of precipitation and not foreseeing any precipitation in the near future, the Mercer County Commission, advised by the local Fire Chiefs, has issued a Burn Ban for all of Mercer County until further notice. This includes no burning of any kind. An individual who willfully violates a burning ban established by a local order or proclamation under section 37-17.1-10 is guilty of a class B misdemeanor.

From the Bismarck NWS: A winter storm will possibly affect portions of south central and southeastern North Dakota Tuesday afternoon through Wednesday.

Mercer County Emergency Services — Mon, 27 Feb 2012 17:44:50 +0000

The Bismarck National Weather Service states a winter storm will possibly affect portions of south central and southeastern North Dakota Tuesday afternoon through Wednesday.

Timing – Moderate to heavy snow should begin to enter extreme southern North Dakota Tuesday afternoon, then spread north into central and southeastern North Dakota Tuesday evening. This activity should continue through Tuesday night and gradually taper off from west to east by Wednesday afternoon.

Impacts – Snow, blowing and drifting snow will generate hazardous travel conditions mainly along and south of I-94 east of Dickinson Tuesday afternoon through Wednesday. Possible blizzard conditions over extreme south central and southeastern North Dakota could stress power lines and cause spotty power outages, mainly across the James River basin Tuesday afternoon through Wednesday.

The expected snowfall totals through Wednesday for Mercer County are from Trace – 3″ in the North and from 3″ – 6″ in the South.

A Winter Storm Watch and Blizzard Watch remain in effect for much of the southwest, south-central and southeastern North Dakota. Heavy snow and strong winds over southeastern and far south-central North Dakota may possibly create blizzard conditions Tuesday afternoon into Wednesday.

Remember: The exact storm track may still shift over the next 36 hours…and uncertainty remains regarding the final impacts of this storm. Stay tuned for forecast updates at http://www.crh.noaa.gov/bis/

Winter Storm coming in to Mercer County, ND on Saturday Evening February 25th, through Monday Morning February 27th, 2012!

Mercer County Emergency Services — Fri, 24 Feb 2012 20:58:14 +0000

The winter storm coming in late Saturday afternoon, 6:00pm (CT) will last through Monday Morning. Heaviest snow will accumulate overnight Saturday, and early Sunday morning. There will be blowing snow and colder temperatures on Sunday. The south half of Mercer County can expect 2-4 inches of snow, while the north half could receive 4-6 inches of snow.
A second storm will be coming in Monday night and last through Wednesday. This will be a Colorado Low and snow accumulations are expected to be a lot heavier, possibly 10-20 inches of snow for the east 2/3rds of State. Mercer County, right now, looks to be on the edge of this system. I will have another update from the Bismarck Weather Service on this 2nd storm on Monday Morning.
Keep updated on weather at http://www.crh.noaa.gov/bis/

Mercer County, ND Burn Ban has been Lifted as of Thursday, February 23, 2012!

Mercer County Emergency Services — Thu, 23 Feb 2012 16:25:03 +0000

Since we have received a significant amount of snow coverage within Mercer County this morning, the decision has been made to lift the burn ban for Mercer County. Always use common sense and caution when burning and let the local Dispatch (745-3334) know if you are doing a controlled burn. Please remember if dry conditions return a burn ban will again be put into place.

Mercer County, ND, Weather Outlook for February through May, 2012

Mercer County Emergency Services — Thu, 16 Feb 2012 21:48:56 +0000

The National Weather Service gave a Flood/Weather Outlook for the next 90 days today and this is a summary of what they said for our area:
For the next two weeks we will have normal temperatures with some fluctuations and above normal precipitation. The March through May outlook is, near normal precipitation. Mercer County has less than a 50% chance of flooding to occur on the Knife River. The snow pack for the Mountains in Montana is below normal, but they are only half way through the snow accumulation period and this could change. Ice jams on the Missouri River will continue to be a flood threat for some areas. Otherwise they expect for the next 90 days the Missouri River flow to be near normal conditions. They do not foresee any major weather pattern changes in the next two weeks.