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Yahoo
30-04-2025
- Climate
- Yahoo
Plum Creek Fire now 100% contained, says Nebraska Emergency Management Agency
Smoke plumes from the Plum Creek Fire in north-central Nebraska's Brown County in the immediate aftermath of the firefight that began April 21, 2025. (Courtesy of Ann Moylan Fiala, Ainsworth Volunteer Fire Department) LINCOLN — The 'Plum Creek Fire' in north-central Nebraska is now 100% contained as of Wednesday morning, the Nebraska Emergency Management Agency confirmed. The week-long firefight began near Johnstown in Brown County after a prescribed burn escaped containment on April 21, which a private landowner had led in coordination with the Nebraska Game and Parks Commission, local fire departments and other partners.. Last week, Gov. Jim Pillen initiated a statewide burn ban through the end of April. On Tuesday, he narrowed the ban to and extended it for central and western Nebraska through midnight on May 10. He also prohibited permitted burns in eastern Nebraska if there is an active red flag warning from the National Weather Service. Excutive Order Burn Permit Suspension Map (1) More than 7,000 acres were burned in the Plum Creek area that includes canyons, hills and water on the northern edge, which state officials said had complicated the disaster response. Over 50 different local fire departments, many volunteer-based, responded to the fire, as did the U.S. Forest Service, U.S. Bureau of Indian Affairs, NEMA, State Fire Marshal's Office, Nebraska National Guard, Nebraska State Patrol, Game and Parks and Nebraska Forest Service. More than 45 cattle were killed, and the fire destroyed one cabin (a secondary residence) and at least eight utility poles. The fire and continued burn ban came amid severe drought conditions for much of the state. 'It's way too dry, and it doesn't make any sense,' Pillen told reporters last Wednesday. 'It only takes one burn, one mistake, and the one that took place … really, really made no sense.' He continued: 'We need Mother Nature to get on our side, and we need to get drenched. We need a tsunami. So if Nebraskans want to pray for a tsunami, I think we'd take that, right, or a drenching rain.' SUBSCRIBE: GET THE MORNING HEADLINES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX
Yahoo
25-04-2025
- Climate
- Yahoo
Plum Creek Fire up to 70% contained, more than 7,000 acres burned in north-central Nebraska
Crews battle the Plum Creek Fire in north-central Nebraska's Brown County. (Courtesy of Ann Moylan Fiala, Ainsworth Volunteer Fire Department) A Friday morning update from Ainsworth Fire Chief Brad Fiala, shared through the local KBRB Radio station, indicates the north-central Nebraska Plum Creek Fire is up to 70% contained as crews continue to battle the fire west and north of Johnstown in Brown County. The fire started Monday afternoon after a private landowner's prescribed burn done in coordination with the Nebraska Game and Parks Commission, local fire departments and other partners escaped containment, according to local and state officials. Nebraska Gov. Jim Pillen issued a statewide burn ban Wednesday afternoon through the end of April, when the fire was 0% contained and 6,631 acres had been burned. By Thursday morning, the fire was 40% contained. Game and Parks is enforcing a temporary campfire ban across its properties. Many outside resources that were called to assist will depart the area Friday, according to Fiala's update. The two UH-60 Blackhawk helicopters from the Nebraska National Guard that had been on scene will still make water drops on interior hot spots Friday. 'We are trying to work hot spots and smoldering areas now,' Fiala said in the update. 'You are still going to see smoke in there for the next couple [of] weeks.' Fiala said warmer temperatures and strong winds are expected to return to the area Sunday, which could complicate the response as crews continue fighting. Landowners are encouraged to help local volunteer fire departments monitor the area. One cabin was destroyed and 45 cattle were killed, and a few people lost their deer stands. Crews have managed to save other houses and structures in the area. SUBSCRIBE: GET THE MORNING HEADLINES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX
