Nebraska Wildfires Nearing Containment, But Danger Remains

The massive wildfires that broke out in Western and Central Nebraska two weeks ago and burned more than 800,000 acres, are nearing full containment as of press time, according to emergency management crews, but the danger is not yet over. Increasing temperatures, low humidity and winds, ideal conditions for further spread of fires, are forecasted through the week. On Thursday, wildfires were reported in Grant County, resulting in some temporary road closures on Highway 2 and Highway 61.Local firefighters were among those from all over the state called to help battling the blazes. Executive OrdersGovernor Jim Pillen has issued a new series of documents to address ongoing weather conditions and areas that have been impacted by multiple wildfires across the state, including two new executive orders. The first one (26-08) continues the timeframe by which fire chiefs or their designated members are prohibited from issuing permits for open burning anywhere in the state. This order is effective March 28 and continues through April 10. The prior burn ban was initially slated to expire on March 27.The second executive order (26-09) waives hours of service restrictions and adjusts maximum load width/weight limits allowed for commercial motor carriers operating within the state and are delivering feed and other supplies under the ongoing wildfire emergency. That new order is also effective March 28. Update from Incident Management TeamRecord-setting weather conditions developed as predicted Saturday. As a result, fire behavior on the Cottonwood fire increased as expected. Initial-attack groups were mobilized to assist with new fires elsewhere in Nebraska and to increase staffing on the Cottonwood fire. At a crew briefing Sunday morning, Deputy Incident Commander Dan Dallas thanked the firefighters for maintaining a state of readiness and being on full alert Saturday.“Be flexible today,” he continued, “You might end up miles away, helping the State of Nebraska with initial attack and augmenting state and local resources.”Within the fire footprint, brush and trees left unburned or partially burned during the Cottonwood fire's initial growth frequently ignited, burned readily and produced abundant smoke on Saturday afternoon. Hand crews that have been working for several days in Divisions A and D on the fire's northwest corner experienced very active fire behavior. Despite an influx of additional resources from the initial-attack group staged in Brady and water drops by National Guard Black Hawk helicopters, the fire grew approximately 100 acres in the un-contained area on that northwest tip.Three unoccupied firefighting vehicles were also burned over and destroyed. No one was injured. An investigation is underway.Crews in the western portion of Division D around Jeffrey Reservoir remained on the fire line late Saturday night, working around structures and on the fire's un-contained edge. Fire activity also increased on the eastern portion of Division D south of Gothenburg near Wiggins Reservoir; engine crews successfully suppressed the flames and held the containment line. Wildfire Recovery FundIn response to wildfires, Nebraska Community Foundation, a statewide community development and philanthropy organization, has established the Nebraska Wildfire Recovery Fund.

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