Officials announced late Thursday night that Highway 2 was closed from Merna to Dunning and that the County cut across road from Dunning to Arnold was also closed due to grassfires. At 3:15 p.m. on Thursday, a grassfire, thought to be contained Wednesday, flared up along Highway 2 at around mile marker 254.
Merna and Anselmo Fire first responded to the call Thursday afternoon, and in ten minutes, called for mutual aid from Broken Bow Fire as well as Sargent, Brewster, and Arnold Fire Departments.
As firefighters were fighting the blaze Thursday evening, the National Weather Service issued a severe thunderstorm warning for that area around 6:39. As that thunderstorm moved through, it produced lightning that resulted in another fire in a different location along Highway 2. Around 8:00 p.m. on Thursday, the Arnold Fire Department was called to another fire near Arnold.
The Custer County Communication Center notified KCNI/KBBN about the Highway and County road closures shortly after 10:00 Thursday night. Those roads would remained closed until officials determined it was safe for travel. Friday morning Custer County Communications contacted KCNI/KBBN to announce the roads had been opened as of 5:00 am. Officials ask that if you must travel those roads that you drive with caution due to reduced visibility because of remaining smoke.
