A report released by the state fire marshal has identified the cause of two of the wildfires that engulfed western North Dakota in October as heat from natural gas flares combined with high winds and dry vegetation.

Reports from the North Dakota Fire Marshal's office say flares from natural gas at oil wells sparked two North Dakota wildfires earlier this fall.

Fire investigators evaluated the scene on Oct. 9, 2024, of a fire that occurred Oct. 5, 2024, near New Town. (Provided by Office of the State Fire Marshal)BISMARCK, N.D. (North Dakota Monitor) — Heat from natural gas flares combined with high winds and dry vegetation caused two of the October wildfires in western North Dakota,

The fires were near New Town and Keene. The causes of the three largest fires that happened last month are still under investigation.