Where There’s Smoke

By Gordon HopkinsFirefighters spent the weekend battling a multitude of fires across several counties in southeast Nebraska, which forced evacuations and has left hundreds of acres burned.On Saturday, October 22, 2022, the National Weather Service issued a Red Flag Warning to several Midwestern states, including Nebraska. A Red Flag Warning means any fires that ignite can quickly spread and get out of control and people should use caution. The warning was issued due to high winds predicted to be between 20 and 30 miles per hour, with gusts at 50 mph or more, high temperatures and relative humidity as low as 25 percent.Jefferson CountyShortly after 1:00 p.m. on Saturday, Fairbury Rural Fire responded to a report of a corn field on fire at 565th Avenue and River Road, approximately five miles northwest of Fairbury.First arriving firefighters found a fire burning in standing corn and corn stalks that had been harvested. Due to the fire being across the Union Pacific rail lines, a request was made to shut down all train traffic until the incident could be stabilized. During the initial attack there were several structures at risk, so mutual aid was requested from Jansen Rural Fire and Daykin Fire and rescue for more manpower and more fire engines.According to Assistant Fire Chief Judd Stewart, who was incident command, it took about one- and-a-half hours to get the fire contained due to the fact that it was in standing corn and in areas with limited access due to the rail line. Mop-up and burnout operations took another two hours to ensure that the fire was completely contained and there was no risk of the fire rekindling and spreading with the hot and windy conditions forecast for Sunday.More than just firefighters participated in battling the blaze and keeping civilians safe. Traffic control was provided by Jefferson County Sheriff’s Office.A representative from Union Pacific Railroad was on scene to assist with directing train traffic once one set of railroad tracks was opened, until both sets of tracks were fully opened.Jefferson and Saline County Emergency Management’s drone team was also on scene to fly the perimeter of the fire to look for hotspots and help determine the actual acreage of the fire. Two local farmers also brought tractors and discs to the fire, which were used to help build and reinforce control lines for the fire.There were eight brush trucks, two fire department UTVs (Utility Terrain Vehicles), three water tenders, one pumper engine and approximately 40 firefighters on scene between all three departments. Stewart reported there were no injuries to firefighters or any members of the public and no loss of structures or vehicles/equipment during the fire. However, the estimated acreage of the fire was 55 acres. Stewart advised FJN, “The cause of the fire was determined to be heat from friction or a static discharge from the combine being used in the field at the time of the fire.” Stewart recommended, “It’s a good idea for farmers who are still harvesting to have a tractor and disc available in case something like this would happen. Especially with the fully cured fuels that are in the fields and pastures coupled with low relative humidity and high temps and high winds.” The total duration of the call was three-and-a-half hours on scene, plus an additional hour for cleaning and restocking equipment.On Sunday, October 23, temperatures and winds were even higher. Despite firefighters’ best efforts, the fire rekindled and Fairbury Rural Fire was once again dispatched to River Road.Jefferson County fire departments would then have to provide aid to other counties fighting their own fires.Gage CountyAt approximately 2:00 p.m., area firefighters were called to Gage County for mutual aid to combat multiple grass fires north of Odell and along PWF Road.One fire at Southwest 89th and Plum Roads was caused by a combine.Mutual aid was provided by Odell Fire Department, Diller Fire & Rescue, Beatrice Rural Fire, Wymore Fire and Rescue, Blue Springs Fire Department and others.A number of farmers in the area turned on their pivots to try and help keep the fires from spreading.Gage County Emergency Manager Lisa Wiegand indicated the fire spread to Lancaster and Saline Counties.Saline CountyA blaze in Swanton began at approximately 2:3 p.m. and spread north. Jefferson and Saline County Emergency Management reported the fire was largely under control by 9:00 p.m., although firefighters continued to work on into the night to prevent hotspots from rekindling.Lancaster CountyPortions of Southwest Lancaster County were evacuated early Sunday afternoon due to two fires. The Lancaster County Sheriff’s office posted on Facebook, “Folks please don’t go south of Saltillo anywhere in Lancaster County. Please do not drive around barricades!!! Emergency personnel is in the area, we are doing our best to keep everyone safe but we need your help avoiding the area if you don’t need to be there.”One fire was reported South and west of Firth, moving very rapidly to the north. The second fire was reported in the area of Southwest 86th and West Gage Road, south county line, and moved rapidly north.Evacuees were final allowed to return home Monday morning.Two Lancaster firefighters were injured, one seriously.Three homes were reported destroyed but further details as too the total amount of damage was nto available as of press time.The Nebraska State Patrol, Game and Parks officers and Saline County Sheriff’s Deputies all assisted with traffic control and checking on the safety of residents.It is important to remembers that other emergencies do not stop just because there are major fires raging. The Southeast Fire and Rescue Department noted Monday, “I know we all thought it couldn’t happen here, but it did yesterday. Not quite a perfect storm event but it happened and we made it thru it. It started yesterday morning when LFR (Lancaster Fire and Rescue) ran out of available medical units and several rural fire departments got dispatched in the city to respond to medical calls.”Mutual AidAs noted above, considerable assistance was provided by numerous fire departments throughout southeast Nebraska, which have mutual aid agreements with one another. Numerous other offices, such as law enforcement and emergency management, were also involved. Even some civilians helped out. It would be impossible to name all the people or even departments that provided invaluable aid during this crisis.

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