BISMARCK, N.D. — A tragic incident resulting from a wildfire in North Dakota over the weekend claimed the life of a 26-year-old South African man, Nicolaas van Eeden, who was eagerly anticipating the arrival of his first child. He had planned to return to South Africa within weeks to be with his wife, Anke, for the baby’s birth.
Van Eeden suffered from smoke inhalation on Saturday while driving back to Tioga. According to a report from state authorities, although he was initially found conscious and able to walk after the incident, he later succumbed to his injuries en route to the hospital in Williston. His unexpected passing has deeply affected his family, as Anke shared, “He was just an amazing person… I think the only thing keeping him going is the fact that he was so excited to meet his little girl.”
With a daughter due in November, the couple’s dreams were shattered when Anke received the devastating news shortly after her baby shower. The van Eedens, who celebrated their marriage in February after three and a half years together, had relocated to North Dakota in late April. Nicolaas was working on a ranch under an agricultural worker visa to help provide for the family.
Anke, who had left her job to support Nicolaas, returned to South Africa in early August. They last spoke during a routine phone call as he was driving home, unaware of the grave circumstances he would soon face. Since the incident, Anke has received an outpouring of support from the North Dakota community, which she describes as “more than I ever thought possible.” Donations for the van Eeden family are being collected at the Bank of Tioga.
Described as an industrious and committed worker, Nicolaas left a lasting impression on Brittany Wolla, whose family he assisted on their ranch for two summers. Wolla noted that he tackled a range of tasks, showcasing not only his willingness to learn but also his dedication to his work. The challenges of North Dakota’s climate and driving regulations presented hurdles, but he embraced them enthusiastically, and the South African workers were considered an integral part of Wolla’s family operations.
In the wake of Nicolaas’s death, his family is planning a memorial service, although his ashes will not return home until after the birth of his daughter. Authorities also confirmed the death of another individual, 47-year-old Edgar Coppersmith of Tioga, who was injured in separate fire incidents connected to the regional wildfires. After sustaining significant injuries, Coppersmith was moved to Denver for treatment but sadly passed away there; details surrounding his injuries remain unclear.
The recent wildfires, which prompted evacuations of over 100 residents in western North Dakota, were fueled by dry conditions and high winds. It is suspected that downed power lines contributed to several of the blazes, which affected multiple regions in the state. As of Tuesday, emergency services reported more manageable conditions with two major wildfires nearing containment. The Elkhorn Fire had reached 50% containment, and the Bear Den Fire was 30% contained, although various properties, including two homes, had been lost to the flames.
During the weekend, the North Dakota Forest Service logged 33 fires, totaling over 49,000 acres of burned land. The comprehensive estimate for a larger wildfire in the Ray, Tioga, and Alamo areas suggests a burn perimeter of nearly 89,000 acres, with containment standing at 99%. Despite this progress, lingering flare-ups remain a concern.
Amidst the destruction, the exact extent of livestock losses is still being assessed, and the aftermath of the fires has resulted in extensive damage to power infrastructure and temporary highway closures. Authorities are vigilant, predicting that fire danger conditions may persist throughout the fall season.
