Elkhorn Fire (NDDPF)

Wildfire Status:

The Elkhorn Fire, which ignited on October 5, 2024, approximately 8 miles south and 5 miles east of Watford City, North Dakota, has now reached full containment as of October 16, 2024. The fire spread rapidly due to strong northwest winds, ultimately burning around 10,313 acres across a combination of private, state, and federal lands. Suppression efforts were initially hampered by the rugged badlands terrain and challenging weather conditions, but a coordinated response from local, state, and federal firefighting resources led to its successful containment.

Fire agencies have implemented a full suppression strategy, focusing on extinguishing the fire and repairing any damage caused by firefighting activities. As part of this effort, firefighters continue to monitor the area for any lingering hot spots and are conducting suppression repair work to restore the affected landscape. The incident is being managed by the Dakota Prairie Grasslands, with Incident Commander Shane Tosse overseeing operations.

In light of the fire's impact, certain closures have been enacted to ensure public safety. Residents and visitors are advised to adhere to emergency fire closure and restriction guidelines in the Dakota Prairie Grasslands to prevent new fire outbreaks. The community has played a supportive role in the firefighting efforts, and continued vigilance is encouraged as the recovery process unfolds.

Visit Inciweb Incident Page for more information. Information on this page is provided for informational purposes only.

Containment History:

Fire Growth History: