Firefighters from throughout Scotts Bluff County responded to a large grass fire about four miles west of Lake Minatare Thursday.
Scottsbluff Rural Fire Chief Carissa Schank-Grubbs says the department was called around 12:43 p.m. to a grass fire behind a house on CR G and CR 25. Upon arrival the fire had consumed a large area of grass and several small out buildings.
A SEAT plane was called in to assist with the fire, and mutual aid was requested from Gering, Mitchell, Minatare, Game and Parks, Morrill, Scottsbluff Fire, Banner Fire Department, Bayard Fire and Western Nebraska Regional Airport. Local farmers also brought in discs and water tanks.
Emergency alerts were issued through the Comm Center, advising residents in an area bounded by County Roads 24, 27, G and Lake Minatare Road of the situation, and that evacuation calls were possible. By 3 p.m., Scotts Bluff Co. Sheriff Mark Overman told KNEB News there had been a few instances where deputies executed in-person evacuation.
Schank-Grubbs says the fire consumed 167 acres, 1 vehicle, 1 garage and three sheds. The Nebraska State fire marshal’s office investigated this fire, and it’s believed the fire was the result of a rekindle of a burn pile.
Units cleared scene around 7:00 p.m.
