A fast‑moving grass fire erupted just after 11 a.m. Easter Sunday, April 20, along the Highway 2/52 split west of Burlington, sending smoke across the Souris River valley. Crews from Burlington, Minot Rural, Berthold, Surrey, Carpio, Kenmare, Minot Air Force Base and the U.S. Forest Service all reportedly raced to the scene, carving control lines and setting back‑burns that held the blaze in check even as shifting winds pushed the perimeter from an initial 300–400 acres to roughly 1,500 acres by early evening. Thanks to the coordinated response, no injuries were reported and no homes were lost, though Highway 52 traffic was briefly detoured and one residence saw flames advance within sight of the yard.
By 8:15 p.m. Burlington Fire Department confirmed full containment; overnight crews remained to extinguish hotspots and begin mop‑up. With the immediate threat over and Highway 52 reopened, Monday’s focus turns to patrolling the fire line for flare‑ups and clearing scorched brush.
I drove to the affected area and with the stench of smoke and soot still in the air took a few pictures of the damage.
