According to The Minot Daily News’ coverage:

The two deaths associated with the wildfires were Johannes Nicolaas Van Eeden, 26, South Africa, and Edgar Coppersmith, 47, Tioga.

According to the Williams County Sheriff’s Office, Coppersmith and Van Eeden were injured by the fires near Ray and Tioga, which later merged. Eight other people also were injured in the fires, according to the sheriff’s office.

“We extend our deepest sympathies to the loved ones of the deceased and offer our prayers and support for the critically injured individual as well as those who have lost their homes and property to these tragic fires. The state continues to utilize all resources at our disposal to assist local, tribal and federal agencies in safeguarding people, property and communities,” Gov. Doug Burgum said.

Nichole Koch shows a digital photo on a smart phone looking over her grandfather’s farmstead midway between Tioga and Ray. Her grandfather had lived on this homestead all his life until Oct. 5, when fires razed the area. This photo was taken by Roger Riveland.

Local, federal and tribal firefighters along with emergency responders battled several wildfires from Friday, Oct. 4, through Sunday, Oct. 6.

The fires included near Johnson’s Corner along N.D. Highway 73 and near Mandaree, near Arnegard, Keene and Charlson. Fires also were reported near Garrison, Tioga and Ray, according to the Governor’s Office.

A red flag warning had been issued for most of western and central North Dakota through that Saturday evening (Oct. 5), with wind speeds of 35-45 mph and gusts up to 75 mph.

National Guard Black Hawk helicopters took flight to provide aerial support with water buckets for the firefighting teams on the ground at both the Bear Den fire near Mandaree and a fire in the Grassy Butte area. Crews on the ground saved the Mandaree community. More than two dozen National Guard firefighters were deployed on Oct. 6.

Other resources were added including, according to the Governor’s Office, two heavy air tankers from Montana to dump fire retardant on the wildfire in the rugged terrain near Mandaree.

Two scooper planes from Bridger Aerospace in Montana dumped water and the Civil Air Patrol did photography in the Bear Den area, according to state and tribal information.

“Our nation has been working tirelessly since October 5th to combat the ongoing fires in the Mandaree area,” said Mark Fox, chairman of the Mandan, Hidatsa and Arikara Nation, in a news release issued Oct. 15. “I want to extend my heartfelt gratitude to the MHA Nation Emergency Operations Center, local, state and national agencies, emergency responders, fire crews, volunteer crews from fellow tribal agencies and all community members for their unwavering dedication to protecting our communities.”

Those helping with the fire not only were from North Dakota but also from out of state, Emily Sitting Bear, director of the operations center, said. She said well over 100 people were battling the Bear Den Fire at one point.

Evacuation orders were issued in a number of areas and temporary shelters were opened for those displaced.

Some of the fires continued for many days. As of Friday, Oct. 11, the North Dakota Department of Emergency Services reported the Bear Den Fire in the Mandaree area and Elkhorn Fire near Grassy Butte were still active. The Pasture 10 Fire near the North Unit of Theodore Roosevelt National Park, south of Watford City, was 99% contained and the Ray/Alamo/Tioga Fires in Williams County were contained.

Ryan Melin, fire management officer with the North Dakota Forest Service, said, “I’ve fought fires for 27 years across the nation including international, and can honestly say I’ve never seen anything like this.”

Residents in the areas impacted by the wildfires also said it was the worst fire they have ever seen.

Dr. Paige Baker, who lives in the area of the Bear Den Wildfire, said it is the worst fire he has ever known in his lifetime. He and his wife, Joan live on the ranch his parents established northwest of Mandaree in the 1950s. His sister’s house burned in the fire.

“This is hopefully a once in a lifetime deal here. Hopefully, I never have to see nothing like this again,” said Ryan Perdue, a cattle rancher and volunteer fireman from Ray.

The wildfires were devastating to the oil and gas industry, the landowners and the people who live in those areas, according to Mark Bohrer, assistant director of the North Dakota Department of Mineral Resources.

“It was just an unfortunate situation with the dry conditions we have out there. The industry, I think, has been very responsible in helping out and being very proactive in trying to prevent future fires,” Bohrer said during the October oil and gas production report.

Electric co-ops, contractors and neighboring cooperatives came together to restore power to members as a result of the wildfires.

Several organizations offered support to those in western North Dakota who were impacted by the wildfires.

Farm Rescue, a nonprofit organization, activated its “Operation Hay Lift” to haul livestock feed and supplies to ranchers affected by the natural disaster. Numerous livestock died in the wildfires, according to Farm Rescue information.

The North Dakota Stockmen’s Association and N.D. Stockmen’s Foundation teamed up and launched the Out of the Ashes Wildlife Disaster Relief Program to help producers who have suffered serious losses. ExxonMobil presented the two organizations with a $100,000 contribution, according to NDSA information.

As of Oct. 23, N.D. Department of Emergency Services reported all wildfires in N.D. had been contained and that more than 110,000 acres were burned by the fires.

In November, the state fire marshal released a report identifying the cause of two of the wildfires. According to the report, investigations into the Midnight Run fire near Keene and the Dinwoodie fire near New Town, which ignited Oct. 5, were both determined to be caused by flares at oil and gas wells operated by ConocoPhillips and Hess Corp. and situated next to agricultural land. The fires ignited just hours before state regulators asked oil operators to voluntarily shut down oil and gas wells in areas with high fire danger, according to reports.