The reports on the Ray Fire were released Monday, and detailed the conclusions of the investigation into the fire that affected 30,549 acres and resulted in two fatalities. According to the report, the fire that spread between Tioga and Ray started near 12243 72nd St. NW, Alamo, about 35 miles northwest of Williston.

Investigators identified the source of the fire was downed electrical distribution lines and two felled trees. It was determined that high winds caused the nearby trees to fall into the power lines, “resulting in sufficient heat,” to ignite dried grass, field stubble and trees. Wind speeds reached highs of more than 60 mph in the area.

The trees were taller than the powerlines in question, according to the report, and were about 12 feet from the power line. Pictures included with the report show a branch of one of the trees had a notch burned into it at the approximate height of the distribution lines, which carried a voltage of 120 volts.

The investigation eliminated other possible causes for the fire, including improperly discarded smoking material, broken glass and open flames ignited by persons unknown.

A power line that was hit by a fallen tree on Oct. 6, 2024, has been identified as the cause of a fire that burned tens of thousands of acres between Tioga and Ray. Photo from North Dakota State Fire Marshal.

The fire was discovered about 3 p.m. by Drew Skaare, a farmer, who saw smoke and dirt being kicked up while returning from lunch with a grain cart. Skaare noticed smoke or dirt getting kicked up and found flames coming from the area where the trees had collapsed onto the power lines. Skaar called 911 and reported the fire two minutes later. Skaar told the investigator the flames were limited to the west side of the road, but that by the time he had returned with a disc, the fire had jumped and began to spread southeast.

The cause of a second fire near Zahl the same day is still being determined, according to State Fire Marshal spokesman Jacob Just. Both fires jumped U.S. Highway 2, with the Zahl fire spreading southwest toward Ray before they were stopped by firefighters several hours later.

The report identified the two individuals who died in the fires as Johannes Nicolaas Van Eeden and Edgar James Coppersmith. Van Eeden was found dead in a vehicle located near Ray, and Coppersmith succumbed to his injuries after being flown to Denver, Colorado, for treatment.

The causes of other major fires near Mandaree and Watford City which burned more than 20,00 acres has not yet been announced.

A report released in November 2024 identified natural gas flares as the causes of the Midnight Run near Keene and the Dinwoodie Fire near New Town which ignited on Oct. 5.

President Joe Biden approved federal disaster assistance to supplement recovery efforts in the affected areas on Dec. 26, 2024.