Four people could face charges for separate burn ban violations.

Burleigh County Sheriff's Lt. Nick Sevart said four fires were reported over the weekend, and all four involved people starting fires or burning despite the burn ban that has been in place since April 4.

All four people said they were unaware of the ban, which has been widely publicized. Sevart said the reports will be sent to the state's attorney's office for possible charges.

First violations of a burn ban are infractions, punishable by up to $500 in fines. Any subsequent violations are Class Bmisdemeanors, punishable by up to 30 days in jail and fines of up to $1,000.

n At 7:58 a.m. Friday, deputies spoke to a 34-year-old Bismarck man who was sleeping in his pickup at Steckel Boat Landing. The man had left a fire burning near his pickup while he slept, Sevart said.

He said the man put the fire out after being advised of the ban.

n At 9:09 p.m. Saturday, officers went to a home near Baldwin where a group of people was gathered around a bonfire. The owner of the property, an 18-year-old man, put out the fire when advised of the burn ban.

n At 3:26 p.m. Sunday, deputies responded to a fire call southeast of Bismarck. A 32-year-old man was burning garbage in a pit, and he put out the fire when advised of the burn ban.

n At 7:48 p.m. Sunday, deputies went to an address south of Bismarck for a fire call. A 41-year-old man was performing a controlled burn. He put out the fire when advised of the burn ban.

(Reach reporter Jenny Michael at 250-8225 or jenny.michael@bismarcktribune.com.)