Winds, Dry Conditions Result In Multiple Fires

A series of fires over the weekend, some caused by burn permits that got out of hand, highlight the dangers of burning in drought conditions and the extra attention that must be paid. According to the National Weather Services, most of Nebraska remains in moderate to severe drought conditions, with a few areas qualifying as “extreme drought.” On Saturday, March 19, Jefferson and Saline County Emergency Management warned, “Very High to Extreme fire danger forecasted for tomorrow. Windy with south winds gusting to 30 mph. The moisture we had will do little to help slow the fires. It could make it harder for trucks to reach the fire.” The next morning, Sunday, March 20, emergency management issued a Red Flag warning, “Areas within the Red Flag Warning will experience extreme fire danger today due to gusty south winds and low humidity. Areas not in the warning will still see very high fire danger.” On Saturday, a controlled burn in Daykin got out of control near 562 Avenue and County Road Y. The next morning, at approximately 8 a.m., firefighters were recalled to the same scene as the fire had rekindled. At 9:50 a.m., Sunday, Fairbury Rural Fire was dispatched to a fire near the intersection of 710 Road and 566 Avenue. Shortly after noon, Fairbury Rural Fire was again called out to a fire, this time on Highway 15, about five miles south of Fairbury. At 1:10 p.m., mutual aid was requested from Jansen Rural Fire.At the same time firefighters were battling this blaze, yet another fire was reported. Steele City Rural Fire was dispatched to a location on Highway 8 for another burn permit that got out of control.

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