CUSTER COUNTY, Neb.— Area fire departments have been sent to the scene of a grass fire reported near Highway 21 north of Oconto and south of Pressey Park. The first page for response came just ahead of the 5 PM hour on Friday.
Within 10 minutes, mutual aid calls continued to the point of mutual aid being asked for from all departments within Custer County. The Pressey Park campground and shooting range as well as homes in the area were visited by officials for some initial evacuations early on as well. A tanker has also been requested to the Broken Bow airport to assist in filling airplanes asked to assist.
Smoke was quickly easily visible in the sky above the fire, which began just ahead of the evening hours with KCNI/KBBN equipment measuring 90 degree temperature, winds gusting into the mid to upper 20 MPH range, and relative humidity levels in the mid-teens.
UPDATE, 7:15 PM: Custer County Emergency Manager Mark Rempe says that the fire has been contained and mop up is underway. The blaze scorched about 150 acres. He added that it remained in pasture land and no buildings were lost.
UPDATE, 9:40 PM: All departments have been sent home and Oconto is staying to monitor and patrol. No additional concerns at this time.
We will update this story if more information is made available.
