Report found a downed tree and power lines caused a fire near Tioga/Ray last fall

A fallen pine tree that hit a power line on October 6, 2024 was the source of one of the fires that devastated northwestern North Dakota last fall. Photo from the North Dakota State Fire Marshal.

RAY — The source of one of the wildfires that devastated western North Dakota on Oct. 6, 2024, has been identified as a tree that hit a power line, according to reports released by the state fire marshal.

Reports on the Ray Fire were released Monday and included detailed findings from the investigation into the blaze that burned 30,549 acres and caused two deaths. The fire, which spread between Tioga and Ray, started near 12243 72nd St., according to the report. NW, Alamo, approximately 55 miles northwest of Williston.

Investigators determined that the source of the fire was downed power lines and two fallen trees. It was determined that strong winds caused nearby trees to fall on power lines, “causing enough heat”, to set fire to dried grass, field stubble and trees. Wind speeds in the region peaked at over 60 miles per hour.

The report found that the trees were taller than the power lines in question and were approximately 10 feet from the power line. Photos accompanying the report show that a branch of one of the trees had a burn cut about the height of the 120-volt distribution lines.

The investigation eliminated other possible causes of the fire, including improperly disposed smoking materials, broken glass and an open fire started by unknown persons.

A power line that was struck 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 the North Dakota State Fire Marshal.

The fire was discovered around 3 p.m. by Drew Skaare, a farmer who was returning from lunch with a cart of grain and noticed smoke and dirt rising. Skaare noticed smoke or dirt rising and flames coming from where trees had fallen on power lines. Skaar called 911 and reported the fire two minutes later. Skaar told the investigator that the flames were confined to the west side of the road, but by the time he returned with the disc, the fire had intensified and was spreading southeast.

The cause of a second fire near Zahl on the same day is still under investigation, according to state Fire Marshal spokesman Jacob Just. Both fires crossed U.S. Highway 2, and the Zahl fire spread southwest toward Ray before being contained by firefighters several hours later.

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

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

A report released in November 2024 cited natural gas flares as the cause of the Midnight Run near Keene and the Dinwoodie Fire near New Town, which broke out on October 5.

On December 26, 2024, President Joe Biden approved federal disaster assistance to supplement recovery efforts in affected areas.