DICKINSON (AP) - Stark County has joined Burleigh and Morton counties in banning fireworks and open burning because of dry conditions.

Emergency Manager Gary Kostelecky said several fires have been reported between Morton County and Stark County. Fireworks was blamed for a 40-acre fire south of Mandan.

Kostelecky said the fireworks ban was a tough decision, but most residents have been supportive.

"Fortunately, most of the people understand it's hot and dry out there," he said. "They know what kind of tinderbox is in the country."

The National Weather service said Dickinson has received just 0.54 inches of rain for the month of June. Thunderstorms are in the forecast for the end of the week and into the weekend, but they could be isolated.

"The thunderstorms won't be widespread, soaking rain," said meteorologist Jim Fors at the weather service office in Bismarck. "The weather patterns have been such that the rainfall has been spotty. It's just the way the weather pattern has been this year. If you're in the right place, you can get an inch or two of rain. It's been the luck of the draw."

Kostelecky said the ban could be lifted if the area would receive about an inch of rain.

"A quarter of an inch or 20-hundreths is not enough moisture," Kostelecky said. "We need an inch of rain before we lift the ban."

Dunn County commissioners signed a similar proclamation Thursday, prohibiting all open burning, including the use of fireworks, until further notice. Violation of the ban is punishable by a $500 fine for the first offense.

Kidder County also issued a burning ban on Thursday. No rain is expected in the area until at least Monday, according to the National Weather Service.