In an update release shared Wednesday morning, Rocky Mountain Complex Incident Management Team 2 has indicated that the South Fork fire in northwest Nebraska is now 80% contained and has burned 39,057 acres. Approximately 482 personnel remain assigned to the blaze.
The release states that lines held during yesterday’s windy weather and that the fire was generally quiet outside some areas of heat being discovered. Division Delta on the west side of the fire detected areas of heat adjacent to the line that were extinguished.
NIROPS, the National Infrared Operations program, was requested for a flight to check for other areas of heat. The program uses aircraft with thermal imaging to map active wildfires, locate hotspots, and provide critical fire intelligence.
Cottonwood trees burning on the south end of the fire south of Highway 20 are being watched closely and the fire is being allowed to slowly consume them.
Gusty conditions are expected Wednesday and a fire weather watch remains in effect into the evening due to those winds and low relative humidity. A temporary flight restriction also remains in effect at the South Fork Fire site.
