JOHNSTOWN, Neb. — A significant wildfire has been ravaging an extensive, wooded area in Nebraska. By Thursday, the fierce blaze had expanded to over 6,600 acres. However, due to efforts from hundreds of firefighters, about 40% of the fire had been contained.
The fire, known as the Plum Creek Fire, began on Monday afternoon after a controlled burn spiraled out of control, according to Jessica Pozehl, deputy emergency manager for Brown and Rock counties. This massive blaze has engulfed approximately 6,631 acres, including steep canyon terrains and some grassy regions.
Johnstown, a small town with a population of 60, is the nearest community to the fire, located in Nebraska’s Sandhills area. Though some structures might be under threat, Pozehl confirmed that no homes were at risk as of Thursday morning.
At the peak of the firefighting efforts, over 50 fire departments were actively engaged, along with National Guard members, amounting to 200 to 250 personnel fighting the flames. The operation has utilized two planes for deploying fire retardant, and in the middle of the week, two National Guard Black Hawk helicopters were crucial in dousing the area with water.
The devastating fire has resulted in the death of 45 cattle and the destruction of a cabin, as reported by the office of Governor Jim Pillen. In response, the governor has imposed a statewide burn ban and mobilized the Nebraska National Guard to deploy 29 soldiers and airmen to assist volunteer fire personnel.
Nebraska is currently experiencing widespread drought conditions, with Brown County, where the blaze originated, facing severe or moderate drought, according to Shawn Jacobs, a meteorologist with the National Weather Service in North Platte. During the spring months, dry and windy conditions are typical, which significantly contributed to the fire outbreak.
The fire’s intensity was further fueled by erratic, gusty winds that originated from dry weather conditions, Jacobs noted. Despite this, Brown County received a small amount of rain recently, and forecast predictions show hope for more rainfall in the coming days.