Only hours after red flag warnings were announced for much of the area, a grass fire was reported Northeast of North Platte in Lincoln County.
The earliest evacuation due to the blaze was announced by Lincoln County Emergency Management late Monday morning for residents along Rolling Hills Road as well as between Rolling Hills Road and North Maxwell Road.
Residents who live along Rolling Hills Rd north of North Platte, and between Rolling Hills Rd and N Maxwell Rd, please evacuate due to a large grass fire in the area. Salvation Army is open for evacuees if needed.
— lincoemgt (@lincoemgt) February 26, 2024
Scanner traffic just after 1:30 PM indicated the need for more grass rigs and manpower at a gathering point at the intersection of highways 40 and 47 west of Callaway. KCNI/KBBN later observed this rendezvous at the northern point of a highway closure that was issued.
With relative humidity levels in the low teens and wind gusts approaching 40 mph, flames spread quickly prompting residents between 8 and 9 miles north of Brady to be encouraged to turn on their pivots to assist in battling the blaze not much later.
Residents 8-9 miles north of Brady, please turn on your pivots to help with the gras fire that is headed east at this time!
— lincoemgt (@lincoemgt) February 26, 2024
Just after 3:00 PM Monday, Highway 47 was closed to northbound and southbound traffic from mile marker 71 to the Highway 40 junction due to the fire. KCNI/KBBN news observed several tankers and grass rigs headed that direction, as well as several law enforcement vehicles. Nearly all fire stations from the area have been paged or are on scene.
As of 4:10 PM, Custer County Emergency Management confirmed that there were no evacuation notices within Custer County.
Monday evening, red flag warnings that were set to expire were extended to 9 PM due to continued strong winds and low relative humidity.
A press release was issued by the Nebraska Emergency Management Agency in the 8 PM hour Monday night indicating that Custer and Lincoln counties have declared emergencies and requested state assistance. Governor Jim Pillen approved a state disaster which allows funds from the Governor’s Emergency Fund to be used to assist in response.
At the request of local officials, Nebraska’s Incident Management Team, as well as members of the state’s Wildland Incident Response Assistant Team, have been deployed and will assist local responders in the coming days. Two National Guard UH-60 Blackhawk helicopters will be deployed to the fire and begin operations to drop water on the fire beginning tomorrow (Tuesday). Additional aircraft will be used to map the fire to assist teams as they plan the best strategy to fight the fire.
11:00 AM update (Tuesday, Feb. 27) Region 51 Emergency Management indicates that the fire, now named the “Betty’s Way Fire”, is still ongoing with crews on the ground. For the public’s safety and the safety of responders, it is asked that the area continue to be avoided.
Noon update (Tuesday, Feb. 27) According to the Nebraska Emergency Management Agency (NEMA), the Betty’s Way fire has travelled over 71,022 acres, determined by the Nebraska State Fire Marshal’s Agency to be human caused, resulting from mowing operations.
Fire managers are currently working on assessing the work performed through the past 24 hours and should expect some containment issued later in the day.
Two primary residences and numerous outbuildings have been destroyed. NEMA is currently working with ranchers, farmers and residents to address any needs they have.
6:00 PM update (Tuesday, Feb. 27) In a press release issued Tuesday evening, the Nebraska Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) stated that containment of the Betty’s Way Fire is estimated to be 72%.
The release also stated that as of 4:00 PM, the fire was still estimated to have burned 71,022 acres. That same estimate was given at noon on Tuesday, a testament to the great work being done by first responders.
If you were impacted by the fire, you are encouraged to contact:
- United States Department of Agriculture 308-534-2360
- Natural Resources Conservation Services 308-535-8080
- Salvation Army 308-532-2038
- American Red Cross 1-833-583-3111
Donations can be directed to the local Salvation Army.
1:30 PM update (Wednesday, Feb. 28) Nebraska Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) increased containment estimates to 82% early Wednesday afternoon, February 28. Approximately 60 people are working to manage the large and complex wildfire.
Yesterday’s weather was a major factor in that snow and moisture assisted in suppression efforts. Wind, however, hampered some suppression tactics.
Current operations are focusing on the east area of the fire.
Wednesday’s efforts also include developing a play once the fire is contained. Pockets of heat and fuels will continue to burn within the perimeter for several days. Smoke will be visible withing the fire footprint, but will not pose risks to the fire line and cause it to escape. Fire managers hope to make good progress which should allow minimal staff through the night and into the weekend.
3:00 PM update (Thursday, Feb. 29) Containment of the Betty’s Way fire has increased from 82% to 98%. Firefighters are monitoring weather forecasts for the next 48 hours, and have made significant progress the past 24 hours. Portions of the fire are currently under red flag warnings.Uncontained areas of the fire are pockets of heavy fuels and trees that still have the potential to ignite and throw hot embers across the fire line.
An initial damage assessment shows the Betty’s Way Fire destroyed 4 primary residences and damaged countless outbuilding and agricultural infrastructures. No injuries or fatalities have been reported.
This is an ongoing and developing story. This story will be updated as we receive more information.
