Williams County/Williston Emergency Management

07/17/2026

Looking for localized air quality info? Williams County manages a PurpleAir air quality sensor that provides information for the Williston area. Check it out on our webpage: https://www.williamsnd.com/departments/emergency-management/

07/16/2026

07/08/2026

It's gonna be a hot one this weekend! 🥵Whether you are inside, outside, or on the road, remember these tips.

06/09/2026

⚡6/9: Severe weather is forecasted for this afternoon and evening. Be weather aware and have multiple ways to receive weather alerts!

⚠️ SEVERE WEATHER TIMING (JUNE 9TH) ⚠️
A severe thunderstorm are forecast to track from west to east and is expected to bring significant impacts across North Dakota this afternoon and evening. Please stay weather-aware and have multiple ways to receive warnings!
⏱️ Expected Timing:
3 PM – 6 PM CDT: Western ND (Williston, Dickinson, Bowman, Crosby)
5 PM – 9 PM CDT: Central ND (Minot, Bismarck, Washburn, Elgin)
7 PM – 11 PM CDT: James River Valley / Central-East ND (Harvey, Carrington, Jamestown, Ashley)
8 PM – Midnight CDT: Eastern ND (Devils Lake, Grand Forks, Fargo, Langdon)
Potential Impacts:
Hail: Up to the size of tennis balls
Winds: Damaging gusts as high as 80 mph
Tornadoes: A few tornadoes are possible, one or two of which could be strong
Action Item: Charge your devices, review your severe weather safety plan, and make sure your wireless emergency alerts are turned ON.

06/07/2026

📻(6/7) Make sure you have multiple ways to receive weather warnings this evening! A Severe Thunderstorm Warning is in effect until 11 pm CT. ⛈️

THIS POST IS OUTDATED

⚠️SEVERE THUNDERSTORM WATCH⚠️
Is in effect for portions of western and central North Dakota until 11 PM CDT with wind gusts up to 85+ mph in localized areas and hail up to 2 inches. Make sure to have multiple ways to receiving warnings.

05/29/2026

Want to learn some tips and tricks to be more severe weather-ready?? Join the NWS for a virtual training session on June 1 or June 2.

Learn about thunderstorm formation and storm hazards, flash floods, lightning, tornadoes, hail and high wind. You will learn about how to be prepared, and discuss storm structure. Don't know the difference between a Weather Watch and a Weather Warning? This is the time to find out!

Visit https://www.weather.gov/bis/skytrain for more info and the link to join!

By popular demand we will be hosting two virtual Skywarn sessions Monday, June 1st and Tuesday, June 2nd! Ideal for anyone wanting to attend Skywarn severe weather safety training but can't make it in-person. Registration links are available on our webpage (weather.gov/bis/skytrain).

05/26/2026

🔥5/26/2026: Critical Fire Weather conditions today - Always check before you burn!

‼️Williams County Burn Restrictions are in effect today (edited to clarify)

Low relative humidity and gusty southeast winds will promote critical fire weather conditions along and west of the Highway 85 corridor today into this evening. A Red Flag Warning is in effect. Any fires that ignite will become difficult to control.

05/14/2026

🚨5/14/2026 @ 2:00 PM 🚨The North Dakota Department of Transportation has issued a travel alert for Williams County due to reduced visibility. ‼Please avoid traveling if you do not need to be on the road‼ Conditions are deteriorating.

Several crashes have already been reported throughout the county and agencies are actively responding. 💥 If you must travel, please be aware of road closures and detours. Turn on your lights! 💡

05/14/2026

📢Dear Everyone,

Today is dry. Today is windy. Tomorrow will not be better. Please, please, please, please do not burn anything.
❌Do not throw a cigarette (or a cigar for that matter) out your window.
❌Do not fall for your children’s plea to make a s’more outside.
❌Do not let your trailer chains drag all over the road (sparks = bad).
❌Do not think that burning your small pile of yard debris will “be okay.”

🚩Williams County is under a Red Flag warning through at least Friday, May 15, at 9 pm. The current Fire Danger Rating is Very High, and Friday is not expected to improve. ‼This means the Williams County Burn Restrictions are in effect‼

➡This means NO: campfires, ignition of fireworks (aerial and ground), controlled burns (i.e., wood piles, tumbleweeds, tree piles, etc.), cropland/agriculture, garbage/pit, and unnecessary off-road motorized travel (anything other than paved or gravel surface).

✅Controlled devices, such as gas, charcoal, or pellet grills, are allowed if they are located on a hard, non-organic surface at least 15 feet away from vegetation and a fire extinguisher or water is available on-site.

More info can be found here: https://www.williamsnd.com/burning-in-williams-county/

THANK YOU!!

05/11/2026

🟢UPDATE🟢 5/11/2026 @ 9:35 PM | The fire has been contained and County Road 10 is now open. This is the final situation update.

Thank you to all agencies that assisted with tonight's incident response!

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‼️UPDATE ‼️5/11/2026 @ 8:15 pm | The fire has been contained, but CR 10 (69th St NW) remains closed from CR 1 (147th Ave NW) to CR 7 (144th Ave NW). Additional information will be provided as it becomes available.

🔥5/11/2026 @ 6:30 pm | Active Grass Fire West of Blacktail Dam | There is an active and ongoing response to a grass fire located west of Blacktail Dam near County Road 7 and County Road 1 (144th Ave NW - 147th Ave NW) and County Road 10 (69th St NW).

❗UPDATE @ 6:40 pm ❗County Road 10 is now closed from CR 1 (147th Ave NW) to CR 7 (144th Ave NW), west of Blacktail Dam- please avoid this area.

The public is asked to avoid this area and use caution if currently traveling. More information will be provided as it is received.

Incident Command: Grenora Rural Fire