BROKEN BOW, NE – Smoke can yet again be seen on the horizon outside the town of Broken Bow as a fire has sparked for the second time in four days near Round Valley Road, this time near road 803.
Broken Bow Volunteer Fire was called to the fire first after 12:30 Sunday afternoon (December 22), calling for mutual aid from several departments soon after.
By 1:15 PM, fire departments from Sargent, Merna, Anselmo, Ansley, and Oconto had been requested and were arriving on scene.
A variable wind between 10 to 15 miles per hour is blowing according to KCNI/KBBN studio equipment. Only .01″ of precipitation from a light dusting of snow has been recorded so far this month.
Sunday afternoon’s fire comes on the heels of a fire that began on Thursday afternoon (December 19) in the same area, burning a reported 2,800 acres on its southeast path. That fire was responded to by more than 30 volunteer departments, with forward progress of the flames stopped heading into Friday. A UTV accident fatality also occurred during that fire.
UPDATE (Monday, December 23rd, 2:34 PM) The fire has re-ignited on some trees near the recently burned area by Round Valley road, fire crews are being sent to respond.
UPDATE (Late Monday evening) Indications are that the fire is back under control and crews have returned to their stations.
This story will be updated if and when more information is made available from authorities. As with the previous fire, travelers are asked to move to the side of the road for first responders and avoid the area.
