Kelly Armstrong issued an executive order declaring a statewide fire emergency and activating the State Emergency Operations Plan, as drought conditions and the risk of wildfires have intensified across North Dakota amid hot and dry conditions in July and August. The area of North Dakota experiencing drought conditions has jumped from less than 2% three months ago to over 56% in the latest U.S. Drought Monitor report released Thursday. Approximately 33% of the state is experiencing moderate drought and 23% is experiencing extreme drought, while 36% is rated abnormally dry. The emergency declaration directs all state agencies, including the North Dakota Department of Emergency Services, North Dakota Forest Service and North Dakota National Guard, to maintain high levels of readiness to combat fires. Sign up for local alerts and follow local emergency management on social media.