Grass fire prompts temporary evacuation order in northwest McKenzie County

MCKENZIE COUNTY, N.D. (KMOT) – UPDATE (9/25/2025): Several fire crews worked to extinguish a grass fire in McKenzie County on Friday evening.

Williston Rural Fire Chief Bret Williams said around 170 acres burned south of Williston between 145th Avenue and 42nd Street Northwest.

McKenzie County Emergency Manager Karolyn Jappe said there were no injuries, but a couple of structures were lost.

The cause of the fire is under investigation.

ORIGINAL STORY (9/24/2025): At least eight different agencies responded to a fast-moving grass fire Friday afternoon in northwest McKenzie County.

The fire broke out on Friday, south of Williston in McKenzie County. According to the McKenzie County Sheriff’s Office, the fire was near 145th Avenue and 42nd Street NW and was moving quickly southeast.

Badlands Search and Rescue Service shared on social media a report of a garage and barn that were engulfed.

As of around 5:45 p.m., the sheriff’s office said the fire was contained, and all citizens who were evacuated or placed on notice could safely return.

Your News Leader has reached out to McKenzie County Emergency Management for more information on Friday’s fire, including the extent of damage and if there were any injuries.