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Despite recent rains and cooler temperatures over much of the state, the fire danger in North Dakota remains high and could influence hunter activities as archery, dove and early goose seasons open over the Labor Day weekend.

State Game and Fish Department officials remind hunters to use extra caution to prevent fires, and also urge hunters to keep up with the daily Rural Fire Danger Index, as temperature and wind forecasts can restrict some outdoor activities. In addition, the U.S Forest Service has established additional restrictions on some national grasslands in North Dakota that will remain in place regardless of daily weather conditions.

Some counties also have imposed restrictions beyond those indicated by North Dakota Rural Fire Danger guidelines.

"Hunters have a very good record of not starting range fires during their hunting activities," said Terry Steinwand, director of the North Dakota Game and Fish Department. "In fact, having that many eyes in the field may actually reduce the probability of large fires."

Steinwand said hunters should also carry a cell phone in the vehicle, along with shovels, fire extinguishers, extra water and heavy fabric for putting out accidental fires. However, Steinwand cautioned, individuals who are not trained firefighters should not attempt to fight a fire that is out of control. Instead, contact the nearest fire department immediately.

The daily fire danger index is issued by the National Weather Service to alert the public to conditions that may be conducive to accidental starting or spread of fires. The index can change from day to day depending on temperature, wind and precipitation forecasts. If the index reaches the EXTREME category, the following guidelines apply:

*Open burning is prohibited.
*Off-road travel with a motorized vehicle is prohibited, except for people engaged in a trade, business or occupation where it is required.
*Smoking is restricted to inside of vehicles, places of habitation and areas cleared to mineral soil. 

The daily fire danger index can reach into the extreme category when the NWS daily forecast calls for hot temperatures and high winds.

Information on current fire danger indexes is available through the NWS Internet site at www.crh.noaa.gov/data/BIS/RFDBIS, the Game and Fish Department's website at gf.nd.gov/, or county sheriff offices.

The state legislature in 2005 gave county governments the authority to adopt penalties for violations of county restrictions related to burning bans. As of Aug. 27, more than 20 counties had banned open burning, which includes campfires. These restrictions apply regardless of the daily fire danger index, and will remain in place until each county's commission rescinds the ban.

Hunters or anglers who want to find out about fire-danger-related restrictions in a particular county should contact that county's sheriff's department.

On the Little Missouri and Cedar River national grasslands in the North Dakota, the U.S. Forest Service is prohibiting any kind of fire, and has closed two-track prairie trails to motor vehicle travel. Two-track prairie trails can be characterized as roads having a native surface and grass growing between the wheel tracks. These restrictions are also not affected by changes in the daily fire danger index. The restrictions do not apply on the Sheyenne National Grasslands in southeastern North Dakota.

More information is available on the Dakota Prairie Grasslands website at http://www.fs.fed.us/r1/dakotaprairie/ ; or from the Dakota Prairie Grasslands supervisor's office, Bismarck at 701-250-4443.