Natwick Rx Unit Escaped Prescribed Fire 2021

On May 5, 2021, J Clark Salyer National Wildlife Refuge (NWR) conducted prescribed fire operations on the Natwick Prescribed Fire Unit. The 310-acre treatment unit is located in the southwest corner of the Refuge in McHenry County, North Dakota. At 1730 strong gusty winds from the North pushed smoke across Natwick Rd. (southern prescribed fire unit boundary). A spot fire ignited on Refuge property south of the prescribed fire unit. Initial attack efforts on the spot fire were unsuccessful. The RXB2 converted the prescribed fire to a declared wildfire at 1800 hours. 130 acres of private property and 413 acres of additional refuge land was burned before the prescribed fire crew and contingency resources contained the escape fire later that evening.

Prescribed Fire, Firing, Escaped Prescribed Fire