Critical fire weather continues across Nebraska

LINCOLN, Neb. (KOLN) – Most of Nebraska is below the Purple Flag Warnings for excessive fireplace hazard by means of Thursday, the Nebraska Emergency Administration Company stated.

McCann Fireplace in Cherry County

In accordance with NEMA, the McCann Fireplace has burned 7,040 acres and is 60 p.c contained. No accidents have been reported.

The present focus of the wildfire stays on the string of canyons alongside the Niobrara River and the grassland the place fireplace initially started stays below management, NEMA stated. Firefighters are patrolling the world for hotspots.

In accordance with state liaison Chris Schroeder who’s on scene, the hearth laid down greater than anticipated in a single day and the Nebraska Nationwide Guard CH-47 and UH-60 helicopters had been successfully dropping water Wednesday and can proceed working Thursday. The Nationwide Guard helicopters have dropped greater than 19,000 gallons of water on the hearth.

NEMA stated further incident administration help group members are reporting to the hearth as we speak to help native emergency administration employees.

Governor Jim Pillen licensed the state to deliver on the only engine air tanker (SEAT) in April, as a substitute of July, to help in dropping retardant on the hearth.

Rock Creek Fireplace in Jefferson County

In accordance with NEMA, the Rock Creek Fireplace has burned 2,600 acres, broken one house, and is 65 p.c contained. No accidents have been reported.

NEMA stated 80 firefighters are on scene and the Nebraska Nationwide Guard UH-60 will proceed bucket drops over the western part of the hearth the place many of the fireplace exercise continues. A dozer and crews are additionally digging traces across the perimeter. The opposite sections are in mop-up.

On Wednesday, the Blackhawk made dropped 12,600 gallons of water over the hearth.

NEMA desires to remind the general public that whereas the hearth is 65 p.c contained, containment doesn’t imply the identical factor as extinguished. Containment is the barrier across the fireplace’s footprint to forestall unfold and fireplace could also be burning contained in the perimeter.

Wildland Incident Response Help Workforce member James Sloup of the State Fireplace Marshal Company stated, “The fireplace is staying within the footprint and total we’re in fairly fine condition.”

NEMA stated crews are not in want of donations but when anybody remains to be desirous about contributing, they will contribute financially to the various volunteer fireplace departments responding to fires throughout the state.

Lowry Fireplace in Garfield County

In accordance with NEMA, the Lowry Fireplace has burned 6,000 acres and is one hundred pc contained. Two accidents had been reported.

At present, the hearth is in mop-up.

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