One Of The Largest Wildfires In Years Tears Through Area

By Gordon HopkinsThe fire that Jefferson and Saline County Emergency Management is calling “one of the largest wildfires in years” is now contained. The Fairbury Rural Fire Department (FRFD) issued a statement on Saturday: “The area received some much needed moisture overnight and during the morning today. With that we are comfortable in saying the fire is at 100 percent containment. What containment means is that the fire will not escape the boundary we have around it given the current weather, basically there is a control line around the entire perimeter of the fire. While that is the case, the fire is NOT 100 percent controlled. Controlled means that the fire will not escape the containment area through any foreseeable weather events, or that the fire is completely extinguished.” FRFD warned that there are areas within the perimeter that are continuing to smolder and may flare up now and then, “Even after the rain this morning, crews had to go to the south end to contend with a couple of snags (dead trees) that were burning and giving off a lot of smoke.”There was no threat to the containment line, but the smoke was visible from Highway 8.Following a Nebraska State Patrol drone flight Thursday, the fire’s footprint was updated from the previously reported 2,600 acres to 1,800 acres.Thus far there have been no injuries or fatalities. The Rock Creek Station State Historical Park and the adjacent state recreation area was re-opened on Monday afternoon.Controlled Burns and Dry ConditionsThe National Weather Service issued a series of fire danger alerts and Red Flag warnings due to high winds and extremely low humidity. As of press time, some of those fires are continuing to burn.FRFD had only recently returned from assisting in with a Cass County Fire when the Rock Creek wildfire began. TimelineOn Monday, April 10, Steele City and Diller Fire Departments were called to the scene of two separate fires in the Endicott/Steele City area around 3 p.m. One was a prescribed burn that got out of control, reported just off Highway 8. That same day, Fairbury Rural Fire issued a burn ban, warning, “Violators will be issued a citation.”The next day, fire departments were recalled to the scene at Highway 8 twice, once in the morning and again that afternoon, as the fire had reportedly rekindled.It was Tuesday afternoon, April 11, when wildfire began threatening Rock Creek Station. As the fire continued to grow, multiple departments from across the area responded. The State Fire Marshall’s office WIRAT (Wildland Incident Response and Assistance Team) came on the scene to help coordinate. An incident command center was set up at the Rock Creek Station visitor center. A Nebraska National Guard hand crew were among the firefighters working the fire and on Wednesday and Thursday, a National Guard UH-60 helicopter repeatedly dropped water to help extinguish the fire.The historical park’s buildings were not damaged, though the fire came within feet of the structures. Crews dowsed them in fire-resistant foam prior to the fire reaching the historical park grounds.After several days of high temperatures and low humidity, the weather finally gave firefighters a break Friday evening and Saturday with some precipitation and cooler temperatures.Saturday morning at 7 a.m., the Rock Creek fire incident management team turned all management operations over to FRFD and Steele City Departments. Governor Declares DisasterThursday, Governor Pillen issued a statewide state of emergency due to ongoing wildfires across Nebraska. Pillen also issued an executive order banning all open burning in Nebraska until April 23.TrafficAt one point, FRFD issued a stern warning on Facebook, “Please stay away from the park, it is still not safe to be here. You WILL be escorted out by law enforcement or Nebraska Game and Parks officials.”Devin Lovgren, Foxtrot Division Supervisor, told FJN, “I called the LEO (Law Enforcement Officer) tons of times while out there to get folks out of our way.”Community ResponseOn the other hand, first responders received numerous donations of much needed items, such as bottled water, food, eyewash, liquid IV and many other things. Emergency Management posted on social media, “Your support has-been absolutely amazing! We have been blessed beyond (measure) with the donations we have received.”Emergency management also suggested, “If (you) still feel the need to donate please make a cash donation to your local fire department.”Fairbury Mayor Spencer Brown told FJN, “I am incredibly proud of our local and surrounding volunteer fire departments as well as a community that is banding together and coming to assist with supplies and support.” Jefferson County Commissioners addressed assembled crews April 12. Commissioner Mark Schoenrock told FJN, “Their service is the true example of the American spirit. When we think of the names and faces of the families and people whose homes and structures were saved due to their service, it is truly inspiring. When we witness all the many departments who came here to serve us and our county, some from very far away, we realize we are in the company of heroes. We are inspired by them and by our own Jefferson County firefighters and emergency responders who so ably serve our citizens 24/7 every day, with true dedication and devotion to duty.”Fairbury Rural Fire Chief Kenny Krause expressed his gratitude for the regional response to the Rock Creek Fire. “I want to thank everyone from the state level who helped us out on this, as well as the responding local volunteer fire departments,” said Krause. “Most importantly, I was to thank the Fairbury community for their overwhelming donations and support. It was crucial in helping us fight this fire.”FRFD issued a statement, “Steele City Fire Department, Fairbury Rural Fire Department and Diller Fire Department greatly appreciate all the support we have received from our community. We could never say thank you enough. We hope to get through all the information from the last week and post the statistics for this fire event so our community can see how many different departments and personnel were on hand to fight this fire and support the firefighting effort.”

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