ND Firefighter Injured in Rollover Crash During Grass Fire

A NorthDakota firefighter was injured in a rollover accident while battling a grass fire earlier this week.

The incident happened Monday as Richardton Fire Department crews responded to the 880-acre wildfire, the Bismark Tribune reports. Smoke from the fire created zero-visibility conditions throughout the day and led to a department pickup with a pumping unit to roll on its side.

A Richardton volunteer firefighter in the vehicle was injured in the crash and sought medical help, Chief Jason Kostelecky told the Tribune. Scans didn't reveal any significant medical issues from the incident, he added.

The vehicle was damaged in the accident, but Kostelecky thought some of the pickup's components could be salvaged.

Multiple nearby departments helped Richardton firefighters contain the wildfire. On Monday, winds gusts reached over 50 mph around the western part of the state, creating challenges for crews.

"We try to get as many resources on-scene as we can," Kostelecky told the Tribune about battling fires in high wind conditions. "There were farmers with discs trying to work up the ground ahead of the fire, trying to create fire breaks. That is really, truly what stopped this."

The grass fire was under control by early evening. Firefighters watched for hot spots Tuesday, and trees and fence posts could still be seen smoldering in the afternoon.