CUSTER COUNTY – In the early afternoon on Monday, grass fire calls began coming in from several locations across the KCNI/KBBN listening area in Custer County.
Scroll to the bottom of this story for chronological updates throughout this developing event
Many of the fire calls quickly included calls for mutual aid sending agencies criss-crossing the area to assist. All available personnel from Custer County as well as nearby fire departments are engaged in the effort.
By 3:00 PM Monday, Custer County Emergency Manager Mark Rempe indicated that they were aware of five active fires in Custer County at that time. There are concerns about the potential for homes in danger, particularly in an area about 15 miles northeast of Arnold (Eureka valley area near Road 422/Road 805).
UPDATE (4:30 PM Monday): Officials estimate that the fires have impacted over 6,000 acres with that number rising. Several homes are under threat as firefighters contend with challenging conditions created by melting snow and muddy terrain.
Initially, eight separate fires were reported. However, four of these merged into two larger incidents, one of which has since been extinguished. As a result, three active fires persist while three previously active fires are now contained and under close monitoring.
Aerial support is reported as robust, with two airplanes already deployed and an additional two in route.
Residents are strongly advised to steer clear of any areas with visible fire or smoke and to avoid zones where emergency vehicles are operating.
UPDATE (6:38 PM Monday): Two firefighters were injured in a fire truck rollover in response to the fire near Lillian Road. One firefighter was transported by Broken Bow Ambulance Service to the hospital. The second firefighter was transported by LifeNet North Platte to a regional trauma facility.
The Broken Bow Fire Department extended their sincere gratitude to all of the area fire departments, the Broken Bow Ambulance Service, Broken Bow Auxiliary, LifeNet North Platte, Custer County Communications, and all other responding agencies.
The release added that emergency crews from all area fire departments are actively responding to the multiple fires across the area to contain them and prevent further spread.
PUBLIC SAFETY ADVISORY
– If you previously had a burn permit, check your burn area to ensure it has not reignited
– Avoid affected areas to minimize traffic congestion and allow emergency units to respond quickly
– Fire units are extremely heavy when filled with water. Please give them ample space on the road. If it is safe to do so, pull over and come to a complete stop to allow them to pass.
– Expect limited information while emergency crews focus on firefighting efforts
The public’s cooperation and patience during the emergency is appreciated.
Officials are asking those that recently performed burns on their property to check back on them, soak them with water, and continue to monitor them even if it has been a significant amount of time since initial burning. Several departments have indicated a complete halt on burn permit issuances.
UPDATE (11:15 PM Monday): According to Custer County Emergency Management (CCEM), the fires across the county remain active fire scenes heading into the night, but are currently under control. Fire crews will monitor and manage the situation to ensure containment.
Two fires will have crews on scene through the night with additional personnel scheduled to return on Tuesday to continue suppression efforts.
Fire departments in Custer County will receive a much-needed break overnight as neighboring departments take over monitoring duties to maintain safety and control.
CCEM indicated that acreage totals remain unchanged from the report given Monday afternoon.
According to the Broken Bow Fire Department (BBFD), the Lillian fire, located north of Broken Bow has an estimated burn area of 870 acres as of late Monday. The firefighter transported by Broken Bow Ambulance Service to Melham Medical Center has been treated and released. The firefighter transported by LifeNet North Platte to CHI Good Samaritan Hospital in Kearney remains in stable condition and under medical care. No civilian injuries have been reported.
Patient names will not be released by BBFD.
No evacuations have been ordered at this time.
UPDATE (Noon hour, Tuesday): Broken Bow Fire Department: Fire crews are still on-site containing and monitoring the fires throughout the area. A red flag warning, indicating critical fire conditions due to high winds and dry conditions is in effect for the area.
Effective immediately, Fire Chief Dustin Watson has cancelled all Broken Bow Fire Department issued burn permits. All permits are now null and void until further notice.
- Those who have previously conducted a permitted burn need to check burn areas immediately to ensure the fire is completely out
- If possible, bury remaining embers to prevent rekindling
One new fire has sparked from a tree pile just east of Broken Bow. Fire crews are on scene taking necessary actions. The fire was under control as of the noon hour release.
UPDATE (2:08 PM, Tuesday): Five total grass rigs have been requested from Broken Bow, Comstock, and Ansley back at the site of the Lillian Road fire.
UPDATE (8:00 to 9:30 PM, Tuesday): The Lillian Fire has a leg that reignited and is burning approximately 6 miles northwest of Broken Bow (this fire has been deemed the East Table Road Fire by Custer County Emergency Management, separate from the original Lillian fire)
Avoid all county roads north and northwest of Broken Bow unless you are an emergency vehicle. This includes but is not limited to: Lillian Road, Cramer Canyon Road, and E Table Road.
Wind direction is pushing smoke and ash toward Broken Bow. The fire’s spread has slowed and remains north of Road 805. However, officials are closely monitoring the situation as sustained winds are expected to continue through the night, which could impact fire behavior.
Fire crews worked through the night and will continue operations throughout today.
Both the Lillian Fire and the E Table Road Fire are currently under control, but active fire remains in the canyons. Crews are monitoring and continuing suppression efforts.
Winds are expected to strengthen this morning and persist through much of the day.
Residents should expect to see ongoing smoke in the area while these fire operations continue.
Lillian Fire: 900 acres, 30% contained
Eureka Valley Fire: 2,750 acres, 70% contained
At this time, no evacuations have been issued. However, several individuals in the impacted areas have been notified of the situation. State resources have been deployed to assist local fire crews in containment efforts.
View video, photos, and more information in Wednesday night’s full release here
UPDATE (8:00 AM, Thursday): The Broken Bow Volunteer Fire Department issued a statement to the public asking that the public refrain from using drones as multiple aircraft would be operating in the area to support fire response efforts.
The statement said that interference from drones delays operations, endangers pilots, and jeopardizes firefighting efforts.
UPDATE (2:45 PM, Thursday): Governer Pillen declared a state of emergency for fires in Custer County and Dawes County, activating state emergency plans and resources necessary to manage the fires, preventing possible loss of life and property.
View the full proclamations here.
UPDATE (3:45 PM, Thursday): The fires burning in Custer County have now charred over 6,000 acres according to Public Information Officer Benjamin Bohall.
Bohall added that from a strategy and personnel standpoint, the fires have been put into “divisions”. The east division includes the Lillian Road and East Table Road fires, while the west division is made up of the Eureka Valley Fire.
Just before 4 PM Thursday, the east division fires are estimated to have burned 1,350 acres. Estimates for the west division fires sit at 4,800 acres. Collectively, 30 percent containment has been achieved between the fires.
Helicopters and tanker planes have been spotted in the sky above Custer County.
UPDATE (7:41 PM, Thursday) More than 150 firefighters have been actively battling the Custer County Complex Fire at its peak, working tirelessly to contain the spread. Governor Jim Pillen has declared a state of emergency for this fire, as well as The Schaffer Road Fire near Chadron, to facilitate critical response efforts.
The Governor’s emergency proclamations authorize the state’s adjutant general to implement state emergency plans and allocate necessary resources to manage and mitigate the fires effectively. The declaration also allowed the Nebraska Military Department to send 22 soldiers and airmen from the Nebraska National Guard to assist with fighting the Custer County fires.
Fire officials have divided the three fires in Custer County into two operational divisions:
West Division:
Eureka Valley Fire – 4,800 acres burned, 75% contained.
East Division:
Lillian Fire and East Table Road Fire – 1,350 acres burned, 55% contained.
Fire response efforts are being supported by multiple aircraft, including two helicopters conducting water drops and aerial observations. The Broken Bow Fire Department has requested that the public refrain from flying drones in the area to ensure safe and effective firefighting operations.
UPDATE (8:00 PM, Friday) Fire crews are making significant progress in controlling the wildfires in Custer County, according to a release made available Friday night (February 28). Since Thursday afternoon, there has been no continuous spread on any of the three fires’ footprints. Hot spots on the fire remain in the black, or areas that have already burned are contained.
West Division:
– Eureka Valley Fire- 4,800 acres burned, 75% contained
East Division:
– Lillian Fire and East Table Rock Fire- 1,350 acres burned, 80% contained
Supporting state agencies have been relieved, and the fire will now be solely under the administration of Custer County Emergency Management, Broken Bow, and Merna Fire Department. Airspace restrictions have also been lifted.
UPDATE (Noon Monday March 3rd) Merna Fire Chief Ernie Johnson provided an update on the Custer County Complex fires late Monday morning.
The Lillian Fire is being considered at 95% containment, while the East Table fire and Eureka Valley fire are currently at 80% containment.
Johnson said that since the administration of the fires was passed back from supporting state agencies, progress has continued only with occasional flare-ups over the weekend. The containment line is “looking really good and holding well”, said Johnson.
Crews are patrolling the area regularly with the goal of raising the containment percentages.
Johnson indicated he is confident that fire containment lines will be in a good place with the incoming storm predicted to bring winds of over 60 miles per hour. He added that whatever moisture the storm brings will only allow the fire to be more controlled and the containment level to rise.
