National Weather ServiceNorth DakotaFire Weather WatchArchive to October 1, 2026
Fire Weather Watches in North Dakota
The National Weather Service issued 12 fire weather watches for North Dakota in 2025 and 12 a year on average in 2008-2025; in 2021-2025 it had the 19th most of any state. 2026 through September: 11, 14% above the average of 10 for those months in 2008-2025. Bowman was covered most often (137 times since 2008).
How many fire weather watches does North Dakota get?
Every fire weather watch that covered part of North Dakota. 2026 is an outline: the year is not over.
The numbers
| Year | Count |
|---|---|
| 2026 (through September) | 11 |
| 2025 | 12 |
| 2024 | 15 |
| 2023 | 1 |
| 2022 | 6 |
| 2021 | 25 |
| 2020 | 8 |
| 2019 | 3 |
| 2018 | 4 |
| 2017 | 11 |
| 2016 | 4 |
| 2015 | 24 |
| 2014 | 1 |
| 2013 | 5 |
| 2012 | 45 |
| 2011 | 12 |
| 2010 | 7 |
| 2009 | 6 |
| 2008 | 20 |
Source: Iowa Environmental Mesonet archive of National Weather Service watches, warnings and advisories (VTEC); National Weather Service. Data as of October 1, 2026.
When in the year does North Dakota get them?
Sum of 2008-2025; the busiest month is labelled.
Source: Iowa Environmental Mesonet archive of National Weather Service watches, warnings and advisories (VTEC); National Weather Service. Data as of October 1, 2026.
Where in North Dakota?
| County or forecast zone | Since 2008 | Since 2023 | Last issued |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bowman | 137 | 15 | September 10, 2026 |
| Slope | 137 | 15 | September 10, 2026 |
| Adams | 129 | 14 | September 10, 2026 |
| Hettinger | 129 | 14 | September 10, 2026 |
| Billings | 126 | 15 | September 10, 2026 |
| Golden Valley | 125 | 14 | September 10, 2026 |
| Stark | 121 | 15 | September 10, 2026 |
| McKenzie | 113 | 13 | September 10, 2026 |
| Dunn | 108 | 12 | September 10, 2026 |
| Sioux | 97 | 14 | May 16, 2026 |
| Grant | 96 | 13 | May 16, 2026 |
| Williams | 85 | 10 | May 26, 2026 |
The NWS issues these products for counties or forecast zones; a zone can be part of a county or a mountain range.
Source: Iowa Environmental Mesonet archive of National Weather Service watches, warnings and advisories (VTEC); National Weather Service. Data as of October 1, 2026.
What is a fire weather watch?
A fire weather watch means critical fire weather conditions are possible in the coming days; it often comes before a red flag warning. A watch means the conditions for the hazard are possible or favourable, but it is not yet happening: be ready to act if a warning follows. The national record · Every warning type in North Dakota.